A new White House proclamation creating a $100,000 fee on certain H‑1B petitions has jolted research universities that rely on foreign scholars and postdocs. Higher‑education legal experts warn the one‑time fee for new petitions could deter global talent recruitment, raise lab and grant costs, and slow hiring for faculty and research staff at major research institutions such as Stanford, Michigan and Columbia. Counsel and HR leaders are assessing exemptions, change‑of‑status rules and the immediate impact on critical hires. Institutions with large foreign‑born workforces must consider alternative immigration strategies, internal funding to cover fees, or redoubling investment in domestic pipelines to protect research continuity. University governing boards and provosts should expect near‑term requests for policy clarification, transitional funding, and advocacy support to Congress on behalf of research and teaching missions.