Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) denounced the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas from President Trump. These visas allow people who work in Connecticut to live & work in the U.S. for three years, with the option to extend for up to six years.
“This outrageous fee is another shortsighted move by Trump that will provoke long-term damage to our economy, universities, and our country’s reputation,” said Senators Looney and Duff. “Connecticut thrives on innovation and education, and this fee is a punitive measure that will harm Connecticut businesses and hurt higher education by limiting access to skilled faculty and researchers. It is a direct attack on immigrants and sends a hostile message that their skills and contributions are not welcome.”
Senator Hartley, who has worked over the past several legislative sessions to help Connecticut universities establish the frameworks and partnerships necessary to attract more H-1B visa holders to campuses and research centers, also strongly condemned the new fee.
“The US and, in particular, Connecticut have consistently led in science and technology, higher education, medical research, Industry 4.0, and advanced manufacturing, fueled by our highly skilled workforce,” said Senator Hartley. “H-1B visa holders are attracted to our culture of innovation. They bring ‘specialized’ talent and skills which, in combination with our institutions, accelerate our economy. This administration’s plan to monetize H-1 B visas is fundamentally flawed. It will stifle our talent pipeline, create financial barriers, and deter brilliant minds from coming to the US. It drives innovation and invention to our global competitors and, even worse, to our adversaries. It is wrong!”
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