A bipartisan group of over one hundred lawmakers urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adopt an exemption for health care workers from the new one-hundred-thousand-dollar H-1B application fee. The group explained the fee deepens an already critical staffing shortage nationwide. The move is the latest in a series of exemption recommendations for health care professionals.
Fee Outlines
On September 19, 2025 the government enacted a new policy mandating a one-hundred-thousand-dollar application fee. The government argued the new policy discourages abuse of the H-1B application system by tech companies. Additionally, the government explained the fee protects job opportunities for American workers.
Legal Response
After introducing the fee, the DHS faced multiple legal challenges. The most significant being a lawsuit filled by the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber explained the new fee violates federal immigration regulations and exceeds the authority of the president. Additionally, a coalition of health care providers, religious groups, and university groups filed their own lawsuit against the government.
Legislative Response
Echoing the lawsuits filed on behalf of health care workers, a bipartisan coalition recently sent a letter to the DHS outlining a potential exemption. The letter highlighted:
- The severe workforce shortages across multiple health professions.
- The early 87 million Americans live in federally designated shortage areas.
- Projected physician shortfalls of up to 86,000 in the next decade.
- The Heavy reliance on the H-1B program by rural hospitals, safety net hospitals and high need facilities.
Without a proper exemption, the new H-1B fee could greatly exacerbate labor shortages in under served areas.
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