The Trump administration has reported a significant 38.5% decrease in H-1B visa applications, dropping from 343,981 to 211,600 in the current financial year. This decline is attributed to new immigration policies that prioritize applicants with advanced degrees and higher salaries. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) noted that 71.5% of selected applicants now hold a master's degree or higher, up from 57% the previous year. Additionally, only 17.7% of this year's selected registrations fell into the lowest wage category. The administration's strategy includes raising application fees to $100,000 to discourage employers from hiring low-wage foreign workers, which has faced criticism from small businesses and non-profits that rely on foreign talent for essential roles. To further refine the selection process, USCIS is implementing a weighted selection system designed to favor higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of American businesses while preventing the exploitation of the visa program. CIS Spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that these regulatory changes are intended to align with Congress' intent for the H-1B program.