Trump Weighs $100,000 Fee for Foreign Graduates

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students who wish to work in the United States after graduating from college. The measure would likely significantly reduce the appeal of studying in the US for foreigners.

If the White House were to approve the proposal, it would represent a further tightening of legal immigration, one of President Trump's long-term priorities. In 2024, approximately 419,000 foreign nationals participated in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international graduates to work in the US.

The proposed change is raising concerns among US universities, which rely heavily on revenue from international students. It would also affect technology companies in Silicon Valley and financial firms on Wall Street, which frequently hire graduates to fill specialized positions.

This is not the first such move by the administration. Last year, Trump signed an executive order imposing the same annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B work visa applications. However, a federal court ruled that it was an illegitimate tax, and last week an appeals court upheld that decision.

(wsj, bak)