Weekly civic intelligence report · v2.2
Trump administration signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications, a major overhaul of the high-skilled foreign worker visa program. The administration framed this as addressing fraud and abuse in the program. This represents a significant policy change affecting immigration and labor markets.
A-score (20.0): Policy change affecting immigration through executive proclamation. Rule_of_law=3 (executive action modifying visa program parameters, within statutory authority but significant unilateral change), civil_rights=3 (discriminatory impact on foreign workers, affects due process and equal treatment in immigration system), capture=2 (policy serves specific economic interests, framed as protecting American workers), separation=1 (executive action without legislative input), corruption=1 (potential for preferential treatment). Severity modifiers: durability 1.1 (requires future admin to reverse), precedent 1.1 (establishes new fee structure model). Mechanism modifier 1.15 for policy_change with federal scope. Below List A threshold (25). B-score (31.8): Layer1=16.0/20 - outrage_bait=7 ($100K sticker shock, affects tech industry), meme_ability=6 (round number, visa debate), novelty=8 (unprecedented fee level), media_friendliness=8 (simple narrative, clear impact). Layer2=10.8/20 - mismatch=6 (fee doesn't address fraud mechanisms claimed), timing=5 (early admin action), narrative_pivot=7 (shifts from tech worker debate to fraud prevention), pattern_match=6 (fits immigration restriction pattern). Intentionality=8/15 (strategic announcement, symbolic pricing, fraud framing). Final B=31.8 exceeds threshold. D=-11.8 indicates List B classification.
Monitor implementation details, actual fee collection mechanisms, legal challenges from tech industry and affected workers, economic impact on high-skilled immigration, and whether this represents opening move in broader immigration policy restructuring.