H-1B Visa Action 9-22-25 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Episode Overview

Podcast: Becker Business
Host: Scott Becker
Episode: H-1B Visa Action 9-22-25
Date: September 22, 2025

Scott Becker delivers a concise analysis of the latest federal action impacting H-1B visas. The episode centers on the implications of a new $100,000 fee imposed by President Trump on new H-1B visa applicants, its expected impact on businesses—especially small to mid-sized companies—and broader themes about immigration policy and America’s role as a destination for global talent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Overview of the H-1B Visa Fee Change

President Trump’s administration has instituted a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants.
There are approximately 700,000 to 750,000 current H-1B holders in the U.S.
Annually, about 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued:
- 65,000 for business/professional roles
- 20,000 for medical professions
The largest recipient group by country: India.
Tech industry is the greatest utilizer of the H-1B program.

2. Immediate & Potential Impact of the Fee

The government clarified the fee is only for new applicants, not current holders—offering "good news at least" for those already in the system.
Becker asserts the fee "...may be more potential bark than bite longer term, at least short term..." (00:49).
Still, he notes the move is likely to negatively impact growth and leadership in industries reliant on foreign talent.

3. Small & Mid-Sized Business Perspective

Becker recounts a conversation with a small-to-mid-sized business owner who employs many legal immigrants (01:10):
- The owner claimed the H-1B system is "so corrupted and biased towards the large companies that [it] almost has no usefulness to smaller businesses."
- Becker reflected concern for this owner but acknowledged that some businesses do heavily depend on these visas.

4. Evaluating the Fee Hike

While a modest fee increase might be reasonable, Becker calls the jump to $100,000 "way too big" (01:55).
He worries the action sends a global signal that the U.S. is not welcoming to “the best and brightest.”
Becker identifies the risk of "brain drain" if top talent looks elsewhere:
- "The worst thing that happens to countries is what you call the brain drain, where the smartest people start to go elsewhere." (02:25)

5. Broader Views on Immigration and Borders

Becker expresses frustration with rising xenophobia online (specifically mentioning Twitter, now "X") (03:00).
He articulates a balanced view:

"I’m a huge believer that you could be a believer in two things. One, that our country is built on immigrants and we need our immigrants. And that we also need tight, tight borders and a policy for how we deal with immigration. That you could have both." (03:18)
He affirms the role of legal immigration as the "lifeblood" of the U.S. but maintains that secure borders and clear policies are essential.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On signal to the world:

“A core problem with the action is...it’s a signaling to the rest of the world that we don’t want to be a beacon for the best and brightest.” —Scott Becker (02:17)
On the dilemma for small businesses:

"[The H-1B program] has become so corrupted and biased towards the large companies that [it] almost has no usefulness to smaller businesses." —Small business owner, paraphrased by Becker (01:20)
On the importance of immigration and border security:

"You could be a believer in immigration, that it really has been the lifeblood of our country, and that we need very serious borders, very tight borders. No, can't have open borders." —Scott Becker (03:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:20 - Explanation of H-1B visa numbers and fee details
01:10 - Conversation with a business owner on small business ramifications
01:55 - Critique of the fee amount and global perception
02:25 - Discussion about brain drain
03:00 - Thoughts on xenophobia in online discourse
03:18 - Balanced approach to immigration and border policy

Tone & Delivery

Scott Becker remains practical and business-focused, weaving in personal anecdotes, straightforward analytics, and commentary on the social climate. His tone is candid, slightly concerned, and resolutely pro-immigration while supportive of “serious” border policy.

This episode offers a clear, nuanced snapshot of how sweeping immigration changes can impact business climate, talent recruitment, and the nation’s global competitiveness.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We try and cover business startups, vc, private equity, some technology and a lot more. And thank you for listening. Today's discussion is the H1B visa action. So here's the deal with this President Trump imposed $100,000 fee and H1B visas. There are an estimated 700,000 seven 50,000 H1B visa holders in the US currently. And then there are about 85,000 new visas issued a year, 65,000 between business, 20,000 with medical, the greatest number of H1B visa holders are issued to people from India. The tech industry is the greatest utilizer of the program. The government has said that the fee will only apply to new applicants, not existing holders. So that's good news at least. The new fee may be more potential bark than bite longer term, at least short term because it only buys about 85,000 a year. It may be more bark than bite, but it is likely to have a negative impact on growth in leadership. We did have a long discussion on Friday when this started to come out with a small to mid sized business holder who employs lots of legal immigrants, legal immigrants here. He essentially said look, the H1B visa program and this was just a take of a small business where I was concerned about the impact on his small business and said look, the H1B visa program, like many things, has become so corrupted and biased towards the large companies that almost has no usefulness on the smaller businesses. And I thought that was fascinating as well because I was really concerned this might kill his business. I didn't know how much we relied on it and there are plenty of business that rely heavily on H1B visas. To have some hike in the fee is probably fine. This increase to 100,000 a year or 100,000 is to my knowledge way too big. A core problem with the action is on top of everything else, it's a signaling to the rest of the world that we don't want to be a beacon for the best and brightest. The worst thing that happens to countries is what you call the brain drain where the smartest people start to go elsewhere. We want the smartest, the best and brightest coming here and ideally quite frankly staying here. But legally in any event, these issues are so complicated. The one thing I will tell you is I'm on Twitter a decent amount x twitter and I like a lot about it but I'm so sick of the xenophobia on it towards immigrants. To take this a step further, I'm a huge believer that you could be a believer in two things. One, that our country is built on immigrants and we need our immigrants. And that we also need tight, tight borders and a policy for how we deal with immigration. That you could have both. That you could be a believer in immigration, that it really has been the lifeblood of our country and that we need very serious borders, very tight borders. No, can't have open borders. In any event, thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We'll be back with you tomorrow with more episodes. Thank you very, very.