H-1B crackdown could upend New Jersey academic research hubs, from Rutgers to Princeton
Immigrant scientists face new hurdles after Trump’s executive order raises fees and reshapes the visa system
Scientists and other skilled foreign workers have long fueled U.S. innovation. But a sweeping crackdown on H-1B visas, a key program that brings specialized talent to universities, is now threatening that pipeline, including in New Jersey.
A new analysis by journalist Alex Ip of The Xylom shows the extent of higher education’s reliance on international talent. More than 13,000 H-1B workers were approved to join over 200 major research institutions for the 2025 fiscal year as of June 30. According to data Ip reviewed from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, about 71% are from India, followed by nearly 12% from China.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 19 imposing a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications. The White House later clarified that renewals were exempt, but the announcement triggered panic among visa holders. Some cut short international travel, fearing they would not be able to return.
On Sept. 23, the Department of Homeland Security followed up with a proposal to replace the lottery system with a weighted process favoring higher-paid and higher-skilled applicants. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress introduced legislation to remove an exemption that allows U.S. universities to bypass the 65,000-visa annual cap.
Together, the changes would make hiring global talent far more expensive and difficult for research institutions.
New Jersey’s dependence
Several New Jersey universities have turned to H-1B workers this fiscal year, according to data compiled by Ip.
| University | H-1B Petitions |
|---|---|
| Seton Hall University | 2 |
| Montclair State University | 4 |
| Rowan University | 18 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | 10 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 27 |
| Princeton University | 162 |
| Rutgers University–New Brunswick | 108 |
While Princeton and Rutgers lead the state in visa petitions, smaller schools also rely on international faculty and researchers to sustain programs.
The Xylom found that public institutions in Republican-leaning states face the greatest burden from the new rules. New Jersey’s universities may not rank at the top, but they remain deeply tied to a system now in upheaval.
Krystal Knapp is the founder of The Jersey Vindicator and the hyperlocal news website Planet Princeton. Previously she was a reporter at The Trenton Times for a decade.