Higher-education groups led by the American Council on Education asked Homeland Security to exempt colleges and universities from President Trump’s surprise $100,000 H‑1B petition fee, arguing the charge would cripple recruitment of international faculty and researchers. ACE’s letter, signed by 31 organizations, says H‑1B hires “educate domestic students for high‑demand occupations, conduct essential research, provide critical patient care, and support the core infrastructure of our universities.” The groups pressed DHS to confirm whether USCIS guidance exempting certain change‑of‑status and extension petitions covers international students converting from F‑1 or J‑1 to H‑1B status, and asked whether the fee would be refunded if petitions are denied. The letter cites CUPA‑HR data showing more than 70% of campus H‑1B employees hold tenure-track or tenured posts in disciplines such as engineering, health professions and computer science. Universities and business groups have filed at least two lawsuits seeking to block the proclamation; USCIS has since launched an online payment portal and issued clarifying guidance, but institutions say key questions about timing, refunds and narrow 'national interest' exemptions remain unresolved. If enforced widely, higher ed officials warn the fee could slow research hiring, clinical staffing at teaching hospitals, and graduate‑level instruction that depends on international scholars.