The White House has reiterated that President Donald Trump’s top priority in overhauling the H‑1B visa program is to put “American workers first,” vowing to fight ongoing legal challenges against the administration’s policies.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the reforms are aimed at curbing fraud in the H‑1B system, which the administration argues has previously driven down wages for U.S. workers. “These actions are lawful, necessary, and intended to protect American jobs. We will defend them vigorously in court,” she said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued guidance clarifying the $100,000 application fee. Exemptions include workers transitioning to H‑1B from other visas, such as F‑1 student status, as well as those applying for amendments, extensions, or changes of status within the U.S. Current H‑1B visa holders will not face restrictions on entering or leaving the country. The fee primarily affects new petitions from applicants outside the U.S. who do not yet hold valid H‑1B visas.

The new rules have already triggered legal challenges. Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued the administration, calling the fee “unlawful” and warning it could increase labor costs or reduce the hiring of highly skilled foreign workers. Earlier, unions, educators, and religious organizations filed a separate lawsuit challenging the September 19 proclamation.

While defending the reforms, the administration maintains that the changes incentivize companies to prioritize hiring American workers and ensure that U.S. wages remain competitive. Leavitt noted that the White House will continue to “fight these lawsuits in court to uphold the integrity of the H‑1B system.”

The policy overhaul underscores the administration’s broader agenda of prioritizing domestic employment while balancing the need for highly skilled international talent in critical sectors.