Visa Fee Hike Called Discriminatory

The U.S. is reviewing whether a law that increases some visa fees is compliant with World Trade Organization rules, the U.S. Department of State announced last week. President Obama signed into law on Aug. 13 a $600 million bill for increased surveillance for illegal immigrants on the U.S.-Mexican border. The cost of the new measures are to be paid from an increase in H-1B and L visa fees paid by tech workers brought into the country by companies with more than 50 staff, and in which more than 50% of the staff are on these visas. The new border security law has been criticized as discriminatory by India’s National Association of Software and Service Companies that have more than 50% of their staff in the U.S. on these visas.