News

  • New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas Will Not Apply to Existing Holders

    A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas in the United States will go into effect on Sunday, affecting only new applicants. Existing visa holders re-entering the country will not be charged this fee. The White House clarified that the fee is a one-time charge per petition and aims to level the playing field for American workers.

    There is still uncertainty about how the policy will handle H-1B holders who are outside the U.S. when it goes into effect. The White House said they will not be charged to re-enter.

  • Treasury Department releases guidance on Trump’s “no tax on tips” promise

    The Treasury Department has taken a step closer to fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise of no tax on tips with the release of new guidance. The proposed regulations, submitted to the Federal Register, provide details on the occupations covered by the rule and the qualifications for claiming the benefit of tax-free tips.

    The provision, part of the Republicans’ tax and spending law, allows certain workers to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips per year from 2025 through 2028, with a phase-out for higher income earners. In order to qualify as a tip, it must be earned in one of the Treasury’s listed occupations, be voluntary, and given in traditional forms such as cash, check, or gift card.

  • Trump Raises Costs for Hiring Foreign Workers Through H-1B Program

    President Trump has implemented a significant increase in fees for companies looking to hire foreign workers through the H-1B program. The new $100,000 fee for new visa applications is a substantial jump from the previous $215 registration fee. The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in technical fields such as IT, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, with an annual cap of 65,000 visas, plus an additional 20,000 for foreign graduates with U.S. advanced degrees. The administration’s move aims to crackdown on what it sees as widespread abuse of the program, blaming it for displacing American workers and causing unemployment among recent computer science graduates.

  • Organic Food Manufacturers Brace for Price Hikes Due to Specialty Sugar Policy

    As the Trump administration imposes new policies and tariffs on imported organic sugar, U.S. manufacturers are facing a potential price increase of up to 30% for organic sugar, leading to higher production costs for a wide range of organic foods. With the majority of organic sugar being imported, the impending high-tier duties on imports will further strain the already expensive organic food industry, which must meet strict certification requirements for organic production.

  • Spirit Airlines CEO warns of more job cuts and schedule reductions

    Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis has informed employees of plans for further job cuts and a 25% reduction in capacity for the airline’s November schedule. Following the carrier’s recent bankruptcy declaration, Davis emphasized the need to optimize the network and focus on the strongest markets in order to reduce costs and stabilize the company’s financial standing.

  • Hyundai Confirms $2.7 Billion Expansion Plans for Georgia Plant

    Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed its plans to expand its Georgia plant with a $2.7 billion investment, despite a recent immigration raid that delayed the startup of an electric vehicle battery plant at the site. The company will increase production capacity at the Ellabell site by 200,000 vehicles over the next three years, bringing the total to 500,000 vehicles a year.

  • Starbucks Workers Take Legal Action Over Dress Code Dispute

    Starbucks employees in three states have filed class-action lawsuits and complaints against the coffee giant, alleging that the company violated labor laws when it changed its dress code but refused to reimburse workers for the cost of purchasing new clothes. The new dress code, which went into effect in May, requires employees to wear specific colors and styles of clothing and limits facial piercings and tattoos.