University of Southern California advises H‑1B visa holders to postpone international travel 'until further guidance'

The University of Southern California ( USC) has issued a warning to faculty and staff holding H‑1B visas, urging them to postpone international travel until further guidance, following the White House’s latest immigration measures, according to The Daily Trojan, as reported by Newsweek.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all faculty and staff in H‑1B status currently in the US should put international travel plans on hold until they receive further guidance,” the university statement said. “If possible, any faculty and staff in H‑1B status who are currently outside the US are strongly recommended to return to the US before the proclamation takes effect.”

The advisory comes after President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation on September 19 requiring employers to pay a $100,000 fee for each new H‑1B petition filed after September 21. The rule will remain in effect for 12 months unless extended. Existing H‑1B holders, renewals, and amendments are exempt, with some additional exemptions available.

The White House has stated that the policy aims to curb misuse of the visa program and protect US workers from potential displacement. It is accompanied by a proposal from the Department of Homeland Security to revise the H‑1B selection process, prioritizing petitions offering higher wages or linked to higher-skilled positions if applications exceed the annual cap of 85,000 new visas.

Mixed reactions from experts and faculty
Supporters of the wage-based system argue it addresses long-standing concerns that some companies hire foreign workers at lower pay than US counterparts, particularly in STEM fields.

According to the Newsweek report, Aisling Kelliher, an associate professor of cinematic arts, told The Daily Trojan that one reason people come on H‑1B visas is “the international reputation of the American education system… a huge opportunity to continue as a researcher and teacher within the system that you’ve learned from.”

Unions, educators take on administration over H‑1B visa fee hike
A coalition of unions, educators, healthcare providers, and religious organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its recently imposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. Filed in the Northern District of California, the lawsuit argues that the president lacks the constitutional authority to enact such a revenue-generating measure without congressional approval and bypassed the necessary regulatory processes.

The plaintiffs contend that the fee will adversely affect essential services, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and religious institutions, which rely on skilled foreign professionals.