Stanford and other US universities could struggle to secure top faculty: Here’s why Trump’s H-1B visa fee is creating a hiring crunch
Stanford University, along with the University of Michigan, University of Maryland, and University of Pennsylvania, ranks among the institutions that have had the most H-1B visas approved in recent years, according to data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services. These visas, designed to allow highly educated foreign nationals to work in specialty occupations, have long been a critical tool for American universities to attract global talent. Now, a sweeping change in the H-1B visa program threatens to disrupt that pipeline, with potential ripple effects for students, research, and innovation.
A $100,000 hurdle for universities
Under President Trump’s new policy, employers seeking H-1B visas must pay a $100,000 fee, a dramatic increase from the roughly $7,000 previously required. While the administration frames the change as a measure to encourage hiring domestic workers and curb wage suppression, higher education leaders see an immediate threat to their hiring capabilities. Some colleges and universities, particularly smaller institutions, may simply be unable to absorb the cost. Union College in New York, for instance, employs 16 faculty members across nine departments on H-1B visas. Its president, told the New York Times that the school would likely stop hiring foreign faculty entirely, describing the fee increase as “tenfold” compared with prior expenses.For large research universities, the impact could be more nuanced but no less consequential. The University of Nebraska system employs around 500 H-1B workers across technology, agriculture, medical, and academic roles. President Jeffrey Gold told the New York Times that while the number is small relative to the university’s total workforce, these positions are essential for innovation and collaboration, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, nuclear engineering, and materials science. A sudden spike in visa costs could leave key positions unfilled, reduce hiring in critical areas, or shift costs onto students.
STEM and specialized roles most at risk
STEM fields and medical disciplines rely heavily on international talent, and universities are concerned the new fee will exacerbate existing shortages. The president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, explained to the Times that schools depend on H-1B visas to secure faculty in specialized fields, adding that global collaboration is being undermined in critical areas.Similarly, Washington University in St. Louis sponsors roughly 285 new H-1B visas annually, primarily for positions that cannot be filled domestically. Its chancellor told the Times that the financial strain imposed by the policy could make it difficult to hire highly specialized roles like anesthesiologists. Beyond staffing concerns, he warned that the steep fee could diminish the United States’ attractiveness for international students seeking to remain in the country after graduation.
Impact on K-12 education
The ripple effects extend beyond higher education. School districts across the country have increasingly relied on H-1B visas to fill vacancies in math, science, and special education. Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs, for example, employs seven teachers through visa programs. Its superintendent told the Times that the district cannot afford the new fees, which could force reliance on long-term substitutes or increase class sizes, potentially affecting learning outcomes. She described the situation starkly: “You could have someone who got a bachelor’s degree in music teaching calculus.”
A complex policy landscape
The Trump administration has indicated that certain positions could be exempt if deemed in the “national interest,” but details remain sparse. Immigration lawyers told the Times that universities are reviewing hiring strategies carefully, weighing which roles warrant urgent applications under the new fee. Meanwhile, policy experts advocating for restrictions argue that the change will ensure that H-1B visas are sought only for positions with legitimate needs, emphasizing the importance of preserving opportunities for US citizens and green card holders.
Balancing merit, access, and excellence
For university leaders, the debate is not about patriotism but about maintaining academic and professional standards. Bard College President described to the Times that the fee is a barrier to attracting the most qualified candidates from abroad, noting that the quality of faculty is essential for research, teaching, and economic contribution. “It harms the economy and has nothing to do with excellence,” he said.The new $100,000 fee illustrates a broader tension between policy, meritocracy, and global talent mobility. While intended to prioritize domestic workers, it may inadvertently limit the competitiveness of US universities and schools, curbing innovation and constraining educational opportunity. As institutions navigate these changes, the question remains whether America can continue to attract and retain the talent that has long fueled its universities’ research, teaching, and global influence.
