A group of 22 US attorneys general has opposed a proposal by the Trump administration to introduce a fee of more than 100,000 dollars for certain H 1B visa petitions. They have argued that the proposed measure is unlawful and could add to existing shortages of teachers, doctors, nurses and other skilled professionals.
The attorneys general said the higher cost could create difficulties for state and local institutions that depend on the H 1B programme to recruit qualified workers from abroad. They pointed to existing staffing gaps in schools, healthcare and other essential public services.
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined the group in submitting a formal comment letter to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, urging the agency to withdraw the proposed rule.
The coalition also includes attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan and Minnesota. Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia are also part of the coalition.