Last Week in Immigration: Cutting Costs, Cooling Fees, and a Workforce Warning
- Milow LeBlanc
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
💸 DHS Proposes Lower EB-5 Visa Fees
The Department of Homeland Security is proposing to reduce most EB-5 investor visa fees with the main investor petition dropping from $11,160 to $9,625 and the removal of conditions fee (Form I-829) down to $7,860. Regional centers would see the steepest cuts (up to 61%), while smaller administrative fees will now apply to previously free forms. DHS says the updated structure reflects the real cost of processing. Public comments remain open until December 22, 2025.
The PERM Takeaway: Lower EB-5 fees could reignite investor interest in U.S. projects and potentially spur job creation in key industries. For employers engaged in or adjacent to EB-5 development, this signals a renewed flow of capital and with it, fresh workforce demand that may overlap with PERM recruitment needs.
💼 Relief for H-1B Employers as $100K Fee Scales Back
After fierce backlash, USCIS has limited the $100,000 H-1B fee to only new petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025, for workers outside the U.S. Existing H-1B holders, F-1 students changing status, and pre-September filings are exempt. The fee must still be paid through Pay.gov, and the “national interest” exemption remains narrowly defined.
The PERM Takeaway: This move offers breathing room for employers already managing tight hiring budgets. While the fee’s limited scope eases immediate pressure, it underscores a larger trend. The government’s push to recalibrate visa costs to reflect administrative strain. PERM programs remain a critical alternative for maintaining long-term, stable access to global talent without unpredictable fee surges.
🕊️ Trump Cancels Plan to Send Federal Troops to San Francisco
Following widespread backlash from local officials and business leaders, President Trump reversed his plan to deploy federal troops to San Francisco. The turnaround came after conversations with Mayor Daniel Lurie and tech executives like Marc Benioff and Jensen Huang. With crime rates reportedly at record lows, Governor Gavin Newsom called the initial proposal “right out of the dictator’s handbook.”
The PERM Takeaway: Beyond politics, this episode highlights how public perception and leadership decisions directly affect regional business climates, especially in innovation hubs like San Francisco. For employers, stability (both political and economic) is essential to attracting and retaining international talent under PERM programs.
📊 Poll: Americans Support Immigrant Rights, Reject Harsh Enforcement
A new PRRI survey reveals that most Americans support pathways to citizenship and oppose punitive enforcement. Nearly six in ten back legal status for Dreamers, while 60% favor citizenship for long-term undocumented residents. Two-thirds support birthright citizenship, and majorities reject mass deportations or secret ICE operations though partisan divides persist.
The PERM Takeaway: Public sentiment continues to lean toward inclusion and workforce integration. For employers navigating labor certification, this broad social support bolsters the legitimacy of employment-based immigration as a solution to national workforce needs not a loophole.
⚠️ Study: Trump Immigration Plan Could Eliminate 15M Jobs by 2035
A new analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy projects that proposed restrictions under a Trump administration could shrink the U.S. labor force by 15.7 million workers and slash GDP by $12.1 trillion. The study cites deportations, reduced parole, and tightened work visas as drivers of labor loss — potentially increasing federal debt by $1.74 trillion.
The PERM Takeaway: The numbers speak volumes. Foreign labor isn’t just a policy matter it’s an economic cornerstone. Restrictive immigration proposals could undermine growth across industries that rely on the PERM process to fill critical skill gaps. The message to employers is clear: continued advocacy for balanced immigration reform isn’t optional it’s survival strategy.
✅ Final Thoughts: From fee cuts to future forecasts, last week reinforces how immigration policy directly shapes America’s economic momentum. For employers and law firms, the key is to stay proactive: anticipate change, safeguard talent pipelines, and align PERM strategy with the shifting currents of immigration reform.