What's Happening

Politics

A $100K Curveball for Tech's Favorite Visa

What's going on: Silicon Valley and Wall Street are recovering from a weekend of chaos. On Friday, President Donald Trump slapped a $100K price tag on the H-1B visa — the pass that fuels the tech and finance industries’ talent pipeline. Since 1990, companies have used the program to recruit highly-skilled workers for jobs that Americans can’t fill. Trump’s overhaul set off a rush: Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan urged their visa-holding staff to be on US soil before the changes took effect at 12:01 am ET Sunday. Workers canceled trips, cut vacations short, and dropped thousands on last-minute flights — one man said he shelled out $8,000 just to get home. By Saturday, the administration tried to calm the uproar, clarifying the fee only applies to new H-1B applicants, not renewals or current visa holders.

What it means: Lawsuits are already underway to block the fee, but the move has put the H-1B program back under the microscope. Immigration hardliners argue it lets companies replace American workers with cheaper foreign talent — a fight that’s divided Trump’s supporters. But economists argue the visa program helps businesses stay competitive and create more jobs. As the effects ripple across industries, tech is likely to feel the largest impact, NBC reports. Meanwhile, officials in India — where the majority of H-1B visa holders are from — warned the abrupt changes could have “humanitarian consequences” for families. For thousands of workers abroad, the only certainty right now is uncertainty.

Related: Trump Cuts Price of US “Gold Card.” But Surprise, It’s Still Expensive (Axios)

Education

When Politics and Lesson Plans Collide

What's going on: Late-night hosts aren’t the only ones facing conservative backlash over words uttered on the job. Educators — from elementary schools to universities — are under more scrutiny over what subjects are off-limits for discussion. Earlier this month, a recorded exchange between a Texas A&M University professor and a student discussing gender sparked conservative backlash. The controversy led the university to fire the professor and reassign two other staff members. University President Mark Welsh also resigned amid the fallout. Now, Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison (R) said he hopes what happened at Texas A&M puts the “fear of God” into other state educators. And it’s not just Texas. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) reports hearing from professors in at least five other states who are concerned that their speech is being restricted. 

What it means: Welsh’s resignation is the latest example of the mounting pressure that educators face over classroom speech. Since January 2021, 18 states have passed laws restricting the teaching of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. More than 160 teachers have been dismissed in culture-war battles, according to a Washington Post study. Some educators are hiring lawyers to challenge what they see as First Amendment violations. But with senior government leaders backing the rightward shift, critics say heightened scrutiny in higher education is likely here to stay. As one expert put it: “There was a day when academia was respected as a place where students could learn different perspectives.” 

Related: These Schools Are Helping Students Say “Who Needs College?” (Business Insider)

Career

Is This the New Power Move Among Workers?

What's going on: Ever daydreamed about having a personal assistant while juggling the groceries, screaming kids, and a hyper dog? Turns out, you don’t need to be in the C-suite to have one. More workers are hiring executive assistants to help, and many say they’ll never go back. Costs range from $10 a month for an AI assistant handling menial tasks to thousands for a part-time human helper. The rise in demand has reshaped the virtual assistant industry — with some available for as little as five hours a month — which can make all the difference to some.

What it means: Executive assistants used to signal you’d finally made it up the corporate ladder, but that’s no longer the case. Still, critics note the role remains heavily gendered and underpaid. Some people pay virtual assistants as little as $10 an hour, raising questions about digital colonialism and exploitation. Meanwhile, the extra help isn’t financially attainable for everyone. Many parents struggle to afford basic childcare, let alone pay someone to schedule their doctor’s appointments. 

Related: A Cheat Sheet To Navigate This Job Market (WSJ Gift Link)

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