Labor Day 2026 Proclamation Mentions Proposed New H-1B Visa Fee

The White House issued a presidential proclamation declaring September 7, 2026, as Labor Day. The proclamation briefly mentions a proposal for a new fee on H-1B visa petitions intended to encourage companies to hire American workers first.

Key points

• This is a ceremonial proclamation recognizing Labor Day and American workers.
• One sentence in the text states a new fee on H-1B visa petitions is being proposed.
• No fee amount, effective date, or implementation details are specified in this document.
• The stated purpose is to encourage companies to invest in training qualified Americans before hiring overseas.
• The proclamation was signed September 4, 2026, and published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2026.

Who is affected

Employers sponsoring or considering sponsoring H-1B visa petitions, and foreign workers affected by potential future fee changes.

What to do