标签： North America

The US Chamber of Commerce has initiated legal action against the Trump administration’s newly imposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, a program designed for skilled foreign workers. Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer of the Chamber, criticized the fee, stating it would render the program financially unfeasible for American employers. The fee was introduced via an executive order signed by President Trump last month, who claimed the visa program had been misused and detrimental to the American workforce. The H-1B visa is particularly vital for the US tech industry, utilized extensively by both large corporations and small startups. The White House defended the fee, labeling it as a lawful and essential step towards reforming the visa program. This fee applies exclusively to new visa applications and mandates payment for entry. The decision has sparked criticism from tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, and Sundar Pichai, who themselves began their careers in the US on H-1B visas. They argue that the program is crucial for attracting global talent. Concurrently, Trump introduced a ‘gold card’ initiative, offering expedited visas to certain immigrants in exchange for fees starting at £1 million. The Chamber of Commerce contends that the fee would severely harm American businesses, potentially leading to increased labor costs or reduced hiring of skilled workers. Despite this, the Chamber acknowledged Trump’s broader economic agenda positively. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick supported the fee, suggesting companies should assess the value of retaining foreign workers against the cost. The majority of H-1B visa holders originate from India and China. Tech companies assert that these workers are not easily replaceable by American labor. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers emphasized that the administration’s measures aim to prevent the suppression of American wages.

In a rare public acknowledgment, U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed his authorization of covert CIA operations in Venezuela, a move typically shrouded in secrecy. This presidential finding grants the CIA broad authority to conduct activities in the region, including targeted strikes against suspected drug traffickers and efforts to destabilize or overthrow the regime of Nicolás Maduro. Such authorizations, historically used to support foreign policy objectives and national security, have previously led to drone strikes, funding for insurgencies, and even regime changes in other countries. While these operations must be reported to congressional intelligence committees, they do not require legislative approval, leaving significant discretion to the president. Former CIA officials note that the scope of these actions can vary widely, from targeted killings to covert influence campaigns, with historical precedents in Latin America and beyond. Critics, however, caution against the potential risks and ethical dilemmas posed by such interventions, citing past U.S. actions in countries like Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Syria. The specifics of the current authorization remain unclear, leaving open questions about its implementation and long-term implications.

John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump and a prominent critic of the president, has been indicted on federal charges. The Department of Justice presented evidence to a grand jury in Maryland, which concluded that there was sufficient grounds to proceed with the indictment. This development follows an FBI investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified information, which included searches of his home and office in August. Bolton, 76, is the third of Trump’s political opponents to face criminal charges in recent weeks, joining former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Bolton has denied any wrongdoing, and his attorney, Abbe Lowell, has maintained that Bolton handled records appropriately. Bolton was dismissed from Trump’s administration in 2019 and later published a memoir, *The Room Where It Happened*, which criticized Trump’s leadership and decision-making. The White House attempted to block the book’s publication, citing concerns over classified information, but a judge allowed its release. The Justice Department subsequently launched an investigation into Bolton’s alleged mishandling of sensitive material. When questioned about the indictment, Trump distanced himself from the case but labeled Bolton as ‘a bad guy’ and previously called him ‘grossly incompetent’ and ‘a liar.’ The indictment adds to the growing list of Trump critics facing legal challenges, raising concerns about the politicization of justice in the U.S.