DC’s New Visa Fee Threatens Rural Teacher Hiring

A new federal mandate originating from Washington, D.C. introduces a substantial $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, a move rural school districts across the U.S. are calling “absolutely devastating.” This policy, intended to preserve American tech jobs, could inadvertently cripple the ability of remote communities to staff critical teaching positions, impacting students nationwide.

The New H-1B Visa Fee: A D.C. Mandate

On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office, here in Washington, D.C., imposing a $100,000 fee on new applications for H-1B visas. This order is part of a broader strategy aimed at restricting immigration and protecting job opportunities primarily in the tech sector, where the majority of H-1B visa holders are employed. Proponents argue that companies bringing in exceptional foreign talent can afford this fee, ensuring jobs go to Americans otherwise.

“Absolutely Devastating”: Impact on Rural Schools

While the focus of the H-1B visa policy has been on tech, its implications are far-reaching for America’s rural schools. Districts like Kuspuk in western Alaska, which relies on two small planes and an immigration attorney to staff its schools, face an existential threat. Sixty percent of Kuspuk’s certified teachers, including all special education teachers, are from the Philippines, many on H-1B visas allowing for longer-term commitment.

Superintendents like Madeline Aguillard of Kuspuk and Susan Nedza of Hoonah, Alaska, stress that experienced international teachers fill essential, hard-to-staff roles in isolated areas where American applicants are scarce or stay briefly. A $100,000 fee, they contend, is simply unaffordable. Nedza stated, “No district could afford that even for one teacher, much less multiple teachers. We would have so many students without teachers.”

Why Rural Districts Rely on International Educators

Rural and underserved districts often struggle to attract and retain American teachers due to challenging living conditions, remote locations, and the demanding nature of certain positions (e.g., special education, secondary math/science). International teachers, particularly from the Philippines, are often fluent in English, have compatible educational backgrounds, and bring valuable experience and stability to communities where high teacher turnover is common.

Currently, districts already incur significant administrative costs, ranging from $3,000 to $20,000 per teacher, to sponsor H-1B visas. The new fee would push these costs to an insurmountable level for most. Tobin Novasio, superintendent of the Hardin district in Montana, argues that the “Silicon Valley” mindset behind the fee doesn’t apply to rural education. His district, serving largely Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, relies on visa holders for half of its special education teachers.

Policy & Advocacy in D.C.

The School Superintendents Association is actively advocating in Washington, D.C., seeking an exemption for K-12 educators from this fee. They believe that ensuring all children have access to quality educators is “of the greatest national interest,” a condition under which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem can waive the fee for certain sectors. This legislative effort highlights the critical role D.C. policymakers play in the daily operations of schools nationwide.

Visa Types for International Teachers

Understanding the types of visas is crucial to grasping the policy’s impact:

FAQs on the H-1B Visa Fee and Rural Schools

• What is the new H-1B visa fee?
  President Trump issued an order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, effective September 19, 2025.
• Why are rural schools particularly affected?
  Rural districts often struggle to find qualified American teachers for hard-to-fill positions, relying on experienced international educators to fill staffing gaps and provide stability.
• Do districts already pay for international teachers?
  Yes, districts typically pay $3,000 to $20,000 in administrative and legal fees to sponsor H-1B visas for teachers.
• What kind of teachers come to these districts on visas?
  Many are experienced professionals from countries like the Philippines, often filling roles in special education, secondary math, science, and bilingual education.
• Is there an effort to gain an exemption?
  Yes, the School Superintendents Association is lobbying D.C. policymakers, including the Homeland Security Secretary, for an exemption, arguing it’s in the “national interest” to ensure quality education.

As policymakers in Washington, D.C. consider the broader implications of immigration policies, the voices from rural school districts highlight a pressing need to ensure that actions designed for one sector don’t inadvertently devastate essential services in another, particularly education for some of America’s most vulnerable students.

DC visa fee cripples rural teacher hiring