Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Suspends the Entry of Certain Alien Nonimmigrant Workers

9/19/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Proclamation Overview: President Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry for certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers by requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany new H-1B petitions.
Enforcement and Documentation: Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to verify payment and restrict approvals for foreign H-1B petitioners lacking the fee, with case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest; employers must retain payment documentation.
Joint Guidance and Rulemaking: The Departments of Labor and Homeland Security are tasked with issuing joint guidance on verification, enforcement, audits, and penalties; rulemaking initiatives include revising prevailing wage levels and prioritizing high-skilled, high-paid workers.
Addressing H-1B Program Abuses: Cites concerns over the replacement of American workers with lower-paid foreign labor, detailing statistics and examples of companies laying off U.S. workers while receiving large numbers of H-1B approvals.
Economic and National Security Impact: Emphasizes that the misuse of the H-1B program undermines U.S. national security by deterring American STEM career pursuits and undercutting wages.
Prioritizing American Workers: Highlights efforts to secure American jobs through strategic trade deals, tariffs, and policies ensuring employment gains benefit U.S.-born workers, including measures to keep illegal aliens from federal workforce development resources.

Risks & Considerations

The Proclamation to restrict H-1B visas could significantly impact Vanderbilt University’s ability to attract and retain international talent, particularly in STEM fields. This may affect the university’s research capabilities and its ability to maintain a diverse academic environment.
The requirement for a $100,000 payment with H-1B petitions could increase financial burdens on the university if it sponsors international faculty or researchers, potentially leading to budget reallocations or reduced hiring of international staff.
Changes in prevailing wage levels and prioritization of high-skilled, high-paid H-1B workers may necessitate adjustments in salary structures for international employees, impacting financial planning and compensation strategies.
The focus on prioritizing American workers and reducing reliance on foreign labor could lead to a decrease in the number of international students choosing to study in the U.S., affecting enrollment numbers and diversity at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt may need to enhance its support for American students in STEM fields to align with national priorities, potentially requiring increased investment in domestic student recruitment and development programs.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services may face increased demand for guidance and support as international students and staff navigate the new visa restrictions and requirements.
The Office of Research might need to reassess its strategies for international collaborations and partnerships, particularly in STEM fields, to mitigate the impact of reduced H-1B visa availability.
STEM departments at Vanderbilt could experience challenges in recruiting international faculty and researchers, potentially affecting the quality and scope of research projects and academic offerings.
The Career Center may need to adjust its services to better support American students in securing employment opportunities in STEM fields, aligning with the national focus on prioritizing American workers.

Financial Impact

The financial requirement for H-1B petitions could lead to increased costs for the university if it sponsors international employees, necessitating budget adjustments or reductions in international hiring.
Potential decreases in international student enrollment could impact tuition revenue, requiring the university to explore alternative revenue streams or increase domestic student recruitment efforts.
Changes in wage levels for H-1B workers may affect salary budgets and financial planning, particularly in departments heavily reliant on international staff.
Vanderbilt may need to invest in programs and initiatives that support American students in STEM fields, potentially requiring reallocation of resources or additional funding.

Relevance Score: 4 (The Proclamation presents high risks involving major transformations in hiring practices and financial planning for international talent.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services should prepare to assist international students and scholars affected by the new H-1B restrictions. This includes providing guidance on the $100,000 payment requirement and exploring alternative visa options or employment pathways for those impacted.
The Career Center should enhance support for students in STEM fields, particularly computer science and engineering, to navigate the changing job market. This could involve expanding partnerships with companies that prioritize hiring American workers and offering workshops on job search strategies in light of the new H-1B policies.
Vanderbilt’s Research and Innovation Office should assess the potential impact of the H-1B changes on research projects that rely on international talent. Developing strategies to retain and attract high-skilled researchers will be crucial to maintaining the university’s competitive edge in research and innovation.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader implications of the H-1B policy changes on the U.S. labor market and national security. This research can provide valuable insights for policymakers and contribute to the national conversation on immigration and employment policies.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to advocate for the interests of higher education institutions in the context of H-1B visa reforms. Building coalitions with other universities and industry partners can strengthen advocacy efforts and influence policy outcomes.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to develop programs that enhance the skills of American students in STEM fields. By focusing on cutting-edge technologies and industry partnerships, the school can position itself as a leader in preparing students for the evolving job market.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on American workers by expanding its workforce development initiatives. This could include offering new training programs, certifications, and partnerships with local industries to support job creation and economic growth in the region.
The emphasis on protecting American jobs aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university can develop targeted outreach and support programs for underrepresented groups in STEM fields, enhancing their educational opportunities and success.
By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on immigration and employment policies. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of H-1B policy changes can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on international students and research projects.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No explicit deadlines or timelines for implementation are provided within the text.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The proclamation directs DHS to restrict approvals for H-1B petitions for aliens outside the United States, execute rulemaking to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid H-1B workers, and implement necessary enforcement actions, including denying entry for non-payment.
Department of State: The State Department is responsible for verifying the pembayaran (payment) of the required $100,000 fee during the H-1B petition process and works with DHS to enforce the entry restrictions.
Department of Labor: The Labor Department must issue joint guidance with DHS on verification, audits, penalties, and enforcement, as well as initiate rulemaking to revise prevailing wage levels for the H-1B program.

Relevance Score: 2 (Three federal agencies are directly impacted by this Proclamation.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Homeland Security – Directed to restrict approvals of H-1B petitions for applicants outside the United States without the required payment, and to initiate rulemaking to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid H-1B workers.
Secretary of State – Tasked with verifying payment during the H-1B petition process.
Secretary of Labor – Directed to initiate rulemaking to revise prevailing wage levels for the H-1B program and, along with the Department of Homeland Security, to issue joint guidance for verification, enforcement, audits, and penalties.
Departments of State and Homeland Security – Responsible for denying entry for non-payment and taking relevant steps to implement the Proclamation.
Departments of Labor and Homeland Security – Charged with issuing joint guidance on verification, enforcement, audits, and penalties regarding the H-1B payment requirements.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact Cabinet-level officials, including secretaries of Homeland Security, State, and Labor, who are responsible for significant policy implementations affecting national security and the economy.)