18-07-2025

US Introduces New Visa Fee and Policy Changes

Date: 18-07-2025
Sources: cnbc.com: 1 | economist.com: 1 | npr.org: 1
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Source: economist.com

Image content: The image depicts a striking red silhouette of five human figures, with the first figure on the left being the most distorted and the last figure on the right being the most intact. The figures are arranged in a linear sequence, with each subsequent figure appearing more solid and defined than the previous one. The first figure is the most abstract, with its body parts melting into one another, creating a sense of fluidity and distortion. As the figures progress to the right, they become increasingly more defined and lifelike, with the last figure appearing as a solid, red silhouette against a white background. The overall effect of the image is one of gradual transformation, as if the figures are emerging from a state of flux and becoming more defined and concrete. The use of

Summary

The US has introduced a new 'visa integrity fee' of at least $250 for non-immigrant visa holders, while also implementing significant policy changes through the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', affecting education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.

Key Points

  • The new visa integrity fee aims to restore integrity to the US immigration system but its implementation details are unclear.
  • The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' combines tax and spending reforms, criticized for being detrimental to the American economy.
  • The bill introduces a national school voucher program, changes to Medicaid and SNAP, and reforms to federal student loans, potentially affecting millions of low-income families and children.

Articles in this Cluster

Visa integrity fee: What to know about new travel fee to enter the US

The US has introduced a new 'visa integrity fee' of at least $250 for non-immigrant visa holders, on top of existing visa fees. The fee, part of the Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aims to restore integrity to the immigration system. While the fee may be reimbursable if visa conditions are met, its implementation details, including when it starts and how to get a refund, remain unclear. The fee is expected to impact leisure and business travelers, international students, and may deter some from visiting the US, particularly Asians, ahead of major events like the 'America 250' celebration and the FIFA World Cup.
Entities: United States, Trump administration, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Travel AssociationTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

The big beautiful bill reveals the hollowness of Trumponomics

The article critiques the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBB), a Republican tax-and-spending plan, arguing that it combines elements of Reaganism and Trumpism in a way that is detrimental to the American economy. The plan is described as 'chimerical,' being part of a government-shrinking ideology but also containing populist elements and carve-outs for individual lawmakers, which will have long-lasting negative effects on the economy.
Entities: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBB), Republican Party, America, Congress, ReaganismTone: analyticalSentiment: negativeIntent: critique

How 'Big Beautiful Bill' affects students, schools and colleges : NPR

The Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress have brought significant changes to federal education policy through the 'One Big Beautiful Bill', which includes a national school voucher program, changes to Medicaid and SNAP, and reforms to federal student loans. The bill allows states to opt into a federal school voucher program, which could cost the government $26 billion in lost tax revenue over the next decade. The legislation also introduces strict eligibility requirements for Medicaid, cuts federal health spending, and reduces funding for SNAP, potentially affecting millions of children and low-income families.
Entities: Trump administration, Republican-controlled Congress, One Big Beautiful Bill, NPR, U.S. Department of EducationTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform