Peter Roberts, an immigration attorney who works with YCand startups, hosted a Hacker News AMA covering the current state of US immigration for tech workers. Key topics included the new $100,000 H1B fee, green card processing delays, and increased denial rates for employment-based visas.

The $100,000 fee applies to employers hiring people outside the US or those ineligible for change of status, severely impacting startups seeking international talent. Total H1B costs range from $5,000 to $10,000, with legal fees between $2,500 and $5,000. Roberts noted the fee has limited when people can travel and created significant barriers for companies.

Roberts highlighted that EB processing times have jumped dramatically, particularly EB3 ROW, while RFE and denial rates have increased for EB1A, EB1B, NIW, and O-1 applications. The current administration has made it very difficult for tech workers to get permanent status, with many larger companies no longer sponsoring PERM applications due to new requirements and tech layoffs forcing companies to pause green card processes.

For international developers, options remain limited: H1B (annual lottery), F1, J1, E2, or L1B transfers. Roberts recommended students consult their DSOs about CPT and OPT authorization, noting both could work for paid remote mentorship programs.