The Digest:
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order effectively dismantling the H-1B visa program by imposing a $100,000 entry fee on new and existing visa holders, including Nigerians working in US tech, healthcare, and academia. The move, aimed at “protecting American workers,” may force thousands of skilled Nigerian immigrants to leave or abandon visa renewals.
Key Points
- $100K Entry Fee: Effective September 21, 2025, all H-1B holders, including current visa holders, must pay a $100,000 entry fee to enter or remain in the US.
- Annual Renewal Cost: Visa extensions require an additional $100,000 payment each year.
- Targets “Program Abuse”: The order accuses companies of replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor, notably in IT and STEM fields.
- Nigerian Impact: Thousands of Nigerian tech professionals, doctors, engineers, and academics face impossible financial barriers to staying in the US.
- Limited Exemptions: The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive fees for individuals or industries deemed “in the national interest.”
- Industry Collapse feared: The order may cripple US health systems, universities, and tech firms reliant on foreign talent.
- Legal Challenges Expected: The policy is likely to face immediate lawsuits for alleged discrimination and economic overreach.
The order represents the most aggressive immigration restriction yet, disproportionately affecting high-skilled Nigerian immigrants and potentially triggering a reverse brain drain with global repercussions.
Sources: White House , CNN
