Trump Proposes Large Fee for H-1B Visas

The Trump (R) Administration plans to Charge Employers seeking Skilled Foreign Workers through the H-1B Visa Program a $103,265 Fee, a Proposed Regulation posted on 8/24/2026 says. Revenue from the Fee would be used to Run the Legal Immigration system, the Document says, including Funding for Federal Immigration Courts and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Trump’s Administration Argues that the H-1B Program has been used to take Jobs away from Americans, and that the current System fails to Prioritize the most Exceptional Foreign Workers. Trump tried to Iimplement a similar $100,000 Fee in 2025. through a Presidential Pproclamation, but it was Invalidated by a Federal Judge in 6/2026.

The H-1B Program, Created by Congress in 1990, provides Employers with Visas for 65,000 Skilled Foreign Workers Annually, with another 20,000 Visas Available for Workers with Advanced Degrees from U.S. Universities. The proposed Regulation contends the New Fee would make Employers “less likely to hire an H-1B worker over a qualified and highly-skilled American.” The Regulation cites a Working Paper in the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) that found H-1B Workers made, on Average, about 15% Less than American Counterparts.

In the 6/2026 Ruling against the Fee, U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin of Massachusetts said Trump Unilaterally Imposed an Illegal Tax, Bypassing Congress, and Failed to Consider the Impact of His Actions on Sectors Experiencing Labor Shortages that Rely on the H-1B Program to Hire Physicians, Nurses, and Teachers. The Trump Aadministration Appealed the Ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit and Requested it be Paused Pending the Appeal, but the Request was Denied in late 7/2026.

The New Proposed Regulation, set to formally Publish in the Federal Register on 8/25/2026, Seeks to Carve a Different Legal Path by proposing to use the Fees to Offset the Cost of Running the Immigration Ssystem. It Exempts some Groups, such as most U.S. Colleges, Universities and Nonprofit Hospitals affiliated with Academic Institutions. But unlike 2025 Proposal, it would Apply to many People who already Reside in the U.S., Not just those Submitting Petitions from Abroad.

“This makes it much broader,” said Jeremy Neufeld, director of immigration policy at the Institute for Progress, a nonpartisan think tank. The proposed rule would restrict a major pathway for foreign guest workers that is widely used by Silicon Valley tech companies, among other businesses. Industry critics say that the fee would diminish the United States’ competitive edge against China, India and other countries in a variety of research and tech industries, as well as harm a number of industries that depend on foreign professionals.

“This is again an illegal tax,” said Charles Kuck, who practices immigration law in Atlanta. Amazon has received the most H-1B visas in recent years, with more than 9,300 approved petitions in fiscal year 2026 through June 30, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data. Other top users of the H-1B program in 2026 have been India-based IT and Outsourcing Companies Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, followed by American Tech Companies Apple and Microsoft.

Neufeld said Expanding the Fee Requirement to Applicants already in the U.S. could Lead to a Significant Reduction in the Number of H-1B Petitions that Companies Request. “I would be very surprised if even large companies pay this fee for many of their H-1Bs,” He said.

Sorokin’s Decision to Strike Down Trump’s Original $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee came in Response to a Lawsuit from 20 States, led by California and Massachusetts. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an Association of Top Research Universities in a Separate Lawsuit in 2025. Criticized Trump’s earlier Fee, saying H-1B Workers fill Critical Jobs in the Medical,Mmanufacturing, and Technology Fields.

The Federal Jjudge in that Ccase, Sided with the Trump Administration in 12/2025, Lleading the Chamber of Commerce and University Association to Appeal. The Administration estimates the New Proposed Regulation would Generate an Estimated $8.8 billion Annually. Nearly $3 billion would go to the Federal Immigration Courts and Be used to Support more than 8,400 Hires, including Immigration Court Judges.

ICE, already Funded to Historic Levels, would receive roughly $1 billion, to Pay for Vetting of Immigration Applications and the Administration of the Student Visa Program, the Proposed Regulation says. It says U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would use the Money to Offset $3 Billion in Existing Costs, and Several other Agencies involved in Immigration Processing would also Receive Funds.

The Public will have 30 days to Comment on the New Proposed Regulation following its Publication to the Federal Register on 8/24/2026. the Proposal says. It can take Months or even Years to Finalize Regulations. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally does Not Refund Filing Fees, including when a GVisa Ppetition is Denied. The Proposed Regulation does Not Address,whether the New $103,265 Fee would be Refundable.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day

European Leaders joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on 8/24/2026 for Celebrations marking the 35th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day, as Russia pressed on with its 4-year-old Invasion of the Country. One of President Vladimir Putin’s Key Goals in Starting a War with Russia’s Neighbor in 2/2022, was to Place Kyiv in Moscow’s Orbit. Ukrainian Lawmakers Voted on 8/24/1991, to Proclaim the Country’s Independence from Moscow, and a Nationwide Referendum later that year, Overwhelmingly Approved it.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, on His 1st Overseas Trip since taking Office 7/2026, joined almost a Dozen other European Leaders, as well as other Dignitaries, including European Council President Antonio Costa, in Kyiv. “For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Social Media. “In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side.”

Burnham was to Co-Chair a Meeting of what has been dubbed the Coalition of the Willing, a Group of Countries helping Ukraine Resist Russia's Onslaught, with the Leaders of France and Germany expected to join Online. Zelenskyy said in a Speech at Kyiv’s St. Sophia Square, that the presence of European Leaders reflected Continental Fears about Russia’s Wider Ambitions.

“We all understand that in this Russian war against us — against Ukraine — far more is being decided than the future of Ukraine and Eastern Europe,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Foreign Help was Vvital. “No nation in a war like this could rely solely on its own weapons," He said. "No nation could withstand attacks of such intensity without the world’s help.”

The Visiting Leaders brought Pledges of further Military and Financial Support. Burnham is expected to Announce that His Government has Agreed to allow Defense Company MBDA to Release Classified Information relating to British Components used in the SCALP Long-Range Missile, according to His Office. That would pave the way for France and Ukraine to Advance Plans for Production of the Weapon in Ukraine.

SCALP is the French Version of the UK’s Storm Shadow Missile, with both Systems Incorporating Shared French and British Technology. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin Views the Plan “extremely negatively.” He Accused the U.K. of “taking part in this war” on Kyiv’s side. Ukraine has Leaned Heavily on NATO Countries for Help Fighting Russia’s Bigger Army, although Relations with the U.S. have been Cooler under Trump (R, with Russia, meanwhile is getting Help from North Korea and China.

Ukraine’s Swift Development of Innovative Drone Technology has enabled it to Blunt Russia’s Battlefield Pprogress, as well as Hhit Targets deep inside Russia, as far as 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from their Border. The St. Sophia Square Speeches were Accompanied by a Street Parade of Domestically produced Weapons. Both Russia and Ukraine are trying through Long-Range Strikes to Inflict Economic Pain, Disrupt Military Supplies, and Erode Public Morale.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Finland to Give Ukraine Drones from Joint Production

Finland is Close to reaching a Deal with Ukraine, on joint Drone Production, with the Majority (90%) of Weapons Produced going to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to a Statement made by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during the Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) Summit in Kyiv. The Agreement is in its Final Stages. innish and Ukrainian Companies are already reaching Specific Agreements to launch Joint Production Facilities. The Production is expected to be based on a Cooperation Model similar to Denmark's Approach.

"I look forward to the results, but it seems that one of the companies has already given a figure for the number of drones that could be produced in Finland, and I think the agreement will be roughly a so-called 90/10 split. So 90% of the production goes to Ukraine, and 10% stays in Finland," Alexander Stubb said.

The Finnish President emphasized that the Agreements are in the Final Stages, with only a few Minor Changes remaining. He noted that the Partnership will be Mutually Beneficial for both Countries. President Stubb emphasized that European and U.S. Partners need to Change the way they view Military and Technological Support for Kyiv.

"I think many Europeans, and indeed Americans, need to get rid of the idea that we are doing some kind of charity for Ukraine. Maybe that was the case at first. But now we can learn more from Ukraine than Ukraine learns from us," the Finnish Leader Concluded. As previously Reported, Ukraine and Finland are Launching Joint Production of Military Equipment and Weapons.

The Countries have Agreed to Develop and Manufacture Drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Europe, Expand Unmanned Maritime systems, and establish a Joint Venture to Produce Ground Robotic systems. Top Executives from Seven Leading Finnish companies have already Arrived in Kyiv to Implement these Agreements.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its Diplomatic Efforts to End the War. In particular, Kyiv and its International Partners have Developed Three Key Proposals to Eend Russian Aggression, which have already been Coordinated with the U.S. and European Partners.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Ordered to Release Billions for Black Communities Climate Grants

Dominika Parry never stopped fighting for Jackson, Mississippi, residents even after the Trump (R) administration terminated a multibillion-dollar program last year meant to help the Black city still reeling from a water crisis. For years, if water did flow out of Black households’ faucets in Jackson at all, it was often brown. It left elders and babies with rashes and caused a slew of health problems across the city. Parry and other community leaders and organizations got some semblance of hope in 2023 with a federal grant. Yet, two years later — before any funds could be distributed — President Donald Trump entered office and terminated a $2.8 billion program meant to help mitigate the harm from climate change and environmental issues in Black, low-income, and disadvantaged communities.

More than a year later, federal courts stepped in and rebuked the administration’s effort to dismantle climate funding. The case centers on the administration’s effort to roll back climate investments authorized by Congress under the Inflation Reduction Act, President Joe Biden’s cornerstone economic policy. Last month, a South Carolina federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to resume distributing funds designed to address environmental and health challenges in underserved communities.

The July ruling came just before the Washington, D.C. Circuit Court blocked the EPA from rescinding nearly $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund awards. That program is different from the environmental justice grants promised to Jackson and other overburdened communities. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was designed as a $27 billion national clean-energy financing program. Its goal was also to make clean-energy investments like home-energy upgrades, solar installations, and electric vehicles more accessible in low-income and disadvantaged communities that have historically been shut out of affordable green financing.

The Trump administration has already moved to legally appeal the judge’s ruling regarding the environmental and climate justice grant program, claiming that the EPA now lacks the money and staff to implement the program. (The Trump administration has fired 25 percent of EPA workers since 2024, bringing the agency to its lowest staff total ever.) Already, some of the programs that received the initial approval for funding in 2024 have ceased to exist, including a solar installation program for formerly incarcerated people in Houston.

Last year, Leon Dillard, a formerly incarcerated man who was a part of the program before it was cut, said the climate-friendly work gave him a “sense of purpose.” “I really just needed to be a part of [the program], be a part of something,” he said. “You have to make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change. But you need other people with you on that journey.”

It is likely that the administration will attempt to appeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ruling as well. Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program projects include: More than $14 million to install wastewater systems in Alabama’s Blackbelt communities where failing septic systems and untreated sewage have long sickened Black residents.

A $500,000 micro electric grid project in Gentilly, a historically Black New Orleans neighborhood that has faced chronic flooding, heat, and power-outage risk, particularly during hurricane season. A $20 million grant for four connected disaster hubs in Florida’s historically Black areas of Lee County. The hubs would include cooling centers and, during disasters, sites for electricity, communications, water and food distribution, and emergency health support. The project also included money for stormwater treatment, new shade trees, and workforce training.

$500,000 for solar-workforce training for formerly incarcerated Texans, illegal-dumping cleanup, and environmental education in a Black community in Houston overburdened by pollution. $20 million to weatherize, electrify, repair, and improve air quality in 500 homes in East Alabama and West Georgia. The plan also included 10 solar-and-battery resilience hubs for residents during outages and extreme weather. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund projects include:

Mississippi Solar for All: Hope Enterprise Corporation received $62 million to expand residential solar access for low-income and disadvantaged Mississippians. Arkansas Solar for All: Hope Enterprise Corporation received $94 million for a companion program bringing solar benefits to low-income households across Arkansas. Georgia BRIGHT Communities Coalition: Capital Good Fund received $156 million to expand access to clean energy and related jobs in Georgia.

EnergizeNC: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received $156 million for its statewide low-income solar initiative. Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition: Growth Opportunity Partners received $156 million for a multistate solar effort serving Midwestern industrial communities. That means that over $22 billion meant for climate and environmental projects in disadvantaged communities may soon be distributed.

Parry did not respond to requests for comment after the ruling, but Matt Sedlar, climate analyst at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said the outcomes of these lawsuits are “sending a message to the administration that the separation of powers exists and that it must follow the law.” In 2023, a $20 million federal grant offered a life-saving chance for Jackson’s poorest. The money was for a resilience hub that would offer year-round access to housing where the lights would stay on with clean drinking water in the time of disaster by funding a micro electric grid. It would also include backup generators, an independent water well, showers, and overnight shelter for up to 150 people at a time facing water issues in their home.

The goal was building “a place where people can come, stay overnight, have access to energy, be in healthy conditions,” Parry said last year. Parry founded the recipient group 2C Mississippi, a Ridgeland-based nonprofit focused on climate resilience in Mississippi. Since February 2025, the billions made available through the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program have languished as the Trump administration has moved to gut a historic number of environmental rules and protections. The Associated Press estimates that the EPA programs and rules cut were projected to prevent roughly 30,000 deaths per year, particularly in Black and disadvantaged communities. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was designed as a $27 billion national clean-energy financing program. Its goal was also to make clean-energy investments like home-energy upgrades, solar installations, and electric vehicles more accessible in low-income and disadvantaged communities that have historically been shut out of affordable green financing. The Trump administration has already moved to legally appeal the judge’s ruling regarding the environmental and climate justice grant program, claiming that the EPA now lacks the money and staff to implement the program. (The Trump administration has fired 25 percent of EPA workers since 2024, bringing the agency to its lowest staff total ever.)

Already, some of the programs that received the initial approval for funding in 2024 have ceased to exist, including a solar installation program for formerly incarcerated people in Houston. Last year, Leon Dillard, a formerly incarcerated man who was a part of the program before it was cut, said the climate-friendly work gave him a “sense of purpose.” “I really just needed to be a part of [the program], be a part of something,” he said. “You have to make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change. But you need other people with you on that journey.”

It is likely that the administration will attempt to appeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ruling as well. Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program projects include: More than $14 million to install wastewater systems in Alabama’s Blackbelt communities where failing septic systems and untreated sewage have long sickened Black residents.A $500,000 micro electric grid project in Gentilly, a historically Black New Orleans neighborhood that has faced chronic flooding, heat, and power-outage risk, particularly during hurricane season.

A $20 million grant for four connected disaster hubs in Florida’s historically Black areas of Lee County. The hubs would include cooling centers and, during disasters, sites for electricity, communications, water and food distribution, and emergency health support. The project also included money for stormwater treatment, new shade trees, and workforce training.

$500,000 for solar-workforce training for formerly incarcerated Texans, illegal-dumping cleanup, and environmental education in a Black community in Houston overburdened by pollution.$20 million to weatherize, electrify, repair, and improve air quality in 500 homes in East Alabama and West Georgia. The plan also included 10 solar-and-battery resilience hubs for residents during outages and extreme weather. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund projects include:

Mississippi Solar for All: Hope Enterprise Corporation received $62 million to expand residential solar access for low-income and disadvantaged Mississippians. rkansas Solar for All: Hope Enterprise Corporation received $94 million for a companion program bringing solar benefits to low-income households across Arkansas.

Georgia BRIGHT Communities Coalition: Capital Good Fund received $156 million to expand access to clean energy and related jobs in Georgia. EnergizeNC: The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received $156 million for its statewide low-income solar initiative. Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition: Growth Opportunity Partners received $156 million for a multistate solar effort serving Midwestern industrial communities.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Threatening Britain Again

The Kremlin’s Reaction to News that British-built Long-Range Ddrones had been used in the Latest Ukrainian Attacks Deep inside Russian Territory was predictably Furious. And once again it came with a Threat of Retaliation.

“The United Kingdom is acting as an accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis,” Thundered the Russian Embassy in London in a Statement. “London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer, The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support of Kiev’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.”

This is by No means the First time Blustering Threats of this Sort have been directed at the UK. Soon after Boris Johnson emerged as One of the most Energetic Cheerleaders for Ukraine, in the wake of Putin’s 2/2022 invasion, Kremlin Media began to issue Regular, Blood-Curdling Warnings to London.

Firebrand Pro-War TV Presenter Vladimir Solovyov spoke Often and Fondly of Nuking the UK with Sarmat Missiles, which He was Convinced would Sink the British Isles beneath the Waves. “Give the British three days to learn to breathe underwater,” Solovyov Ranted. His Rossiya 1 Colleague Olga Skabeeva regularly Hosted Guests who, Flatteringly for Or Security Services, often spoke of Whitehall and MI6 as the True Evil Masterminds behind All Western Policy. Such Accusations were followed, more often than not, by the usual Threats to Nuke Perfidious Albion into Non-Existence.

It’s easy to see why the UK is theFfocus for the Kremlin’s Attack dogs. Firstly, Russians have a Long and Deep Love-Hate Relationship with Britain’s legendary Spies and fictional Detectives. Secondly, compared to the U.S., the UK is Unimportant and can be kicked about with Impunity, whereas the Kremlin has an Important and Complicated,on-again and off-again, relationship with Trump’s (R) White House.

But the Problem for Britain’s Security Chiefs is that Nnot all Russia’s Threats are E. Ken McCallum, Director-General of MI5 Warned in His Annual Threat Update last 10/2025 that “my teams are routinely uncovering attempts by state actors to commission surveillance, sabotage, arson or physical violence, right here in the UK”. He also Warned that Russian Spy Agencies were Hiring Thugs Online to do their Dirty Work, “instructing them via encrypted apps, and offering payment in cryptocurrencies”.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Macron Vows Delivery of Missile Interceptors to Kyiv

French President Emmanuel Macron, Announced that Paris will send New Interceptor Missiles to Ukraine, as Russia Escalates its Air Attack on Kyiv. Macron, in a Post on X, Expressed His "Horror" at the Russian Attack on a Mall in Kryvyi Rig, which Killed at least 16 People.

“I announced to President Zelenskyy the strengthening of our support, with the delivery of interceptors and the continuation of our cooperation.”, Macron said.

Macron, in a Post on X, Expressed His "Horror" at the Russian Attack on a Mall in Kryvyi Rig, which Killed at least 16 People.

"By systematically targeting civilians, and by choosing intimidation and escalation, Russia is probably seeking to project strength but is above all signalling an admission of weakness," Macron said.

"In this context, it is crucial to provide Ukraine with all necessary means to defend its airspace and repel this aggression."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Texas Pauses Data Center Approvals

For most Texans, the Key Issue is Cost. State Officials say the Audit is intended to Protect Grid Reliability and Ensure Data Ccenters do Not Shift New Electricity Infrastructure Costs onto Residents.

New Transmission Lines, Power Resources and Grid Upgrades can be Expensive. Abbott’s Directive Asks Regulators to Determine which Projects can provide their Own Power and which ones would rely on Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Texas Lawmakers pushed Utility Regulators to Halt a High-Voltage Transmission Plan designed to move Electricity toward Permian Basin Oil Fields and meet Fast-Growing Power Demand in West Texas.

The Dispute centers on Private Land, Grid Reliability, Ratepayer Costs, and Proposed Routes that would cross Farms, Ranches, Homes, and Communities Across several Texas Counties under Commission Review.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) backed Schwertner’s Position while Acknowledging that added Transmission may be needed to Strengthen the Electric Grid serving Fast Growing Permian Basin Demand in West Texas.

Patrick Argued the Approval Process must Protect Landowners and Communities, while Regulators consider whether the Applications should move Forward, Change, or Pause during the Pending Review in Austin.

Residents and Property Owners questioned whether Utilities gave Proper Notice and whether the Process allowed enough time to Review proposed Routes and Alternatives before Regulators Act on Applications.

The Proposal includes Three 765-kilovolt import Paths and Related Line Projects meant to move Electricity toward West Texas and the Permian Basin for Projected Industrial Power Load Growth.

If Approved and Built, the Lines would become the Largest Transmission Lines in Texas, with the Broader Plan carrying an estimated $33 billion Ratepayer Cost for Electric Customers.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker