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White House: What They are Saying - President Trump Delivers Historic Victories for America's Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoorsmen
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The White House issued the following news:
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Trump Delivers Historic Victories for America's Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoorsmen
September 18, 2026
President Donald J. Trump is delivering on his promises to America's outdoorsmen by cutting red tape, removing burdensome and unnecessary restrictions levied by previous Administrations and expanding America's great outdoor recreation sector that generates over $1.2 trillion annually and supports over 5 million jobs.
Last night, the President signed two Executive Orders to bolster American
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The White House issued the following news:
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Trump Delivers Historic Victories for America's Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoorsmen
September 18, 2026
President Donald J. Trump is delivering on his promises to America's outdoorsmen by cutting red tape, removing burdensome and unnecessary restrictions levied by previous Administrations and expanding America's great outdoor recreation sector that generates over $1.2 trillion annually and supports over 5 million jobs.
Last night, the President signed two Executive Orders to bolster Americanhunting and revive American saltwater angling. Industry leaders and stakeholders nationwide hailed the President's leadership and commitment to restoring Americans' access to Federal lands, revitalizing our Nation's outdoor recreation economy, while conserving and protecting America's abundant natural resources.
Here's what they are saying:
Secretary Doug Burgum: "Sportsmen are among our greatest conservationists, and this administration is committed to supporting the men and women who help protect our public lands and wildlife. At @POTUS' direction, @Interior will:
* Expand hunting access
* Promote habitat management
* Improve migratory bird hunting authorizations
* Encourage Sunday hunting
* Support hunter education and youth and veteran programs
Putting American hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen FIRST."
Senator Tom Cotton: "Hunting is an important part of Arkansas's culture and economy. Thankful President Trump is prioritizing America's hunting heritage for future generations."
Rep. Bruce Westerman: "Today's executive orders signed by President Trump are generational victories for America's sportsmen and women. The actions taken by President Trump expand access to public lands and waters, eliminate burdensome regulation, reinvigorate our outdoor economy and invest in the next generation of hunters and anglers. I'm proud to have advanced legislation on many of these policies through the Natural Resources Committee, including the reauthorization of the Great American Outdoors Act. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to codify these executive orders and support our nation's hunters and anglers."
Rep. August Pfluger: "For years, Washington made it harder to access the public lands and waters that belong to the American people. Today's executive order by @POTUS expands wildlife access to hunters and anglers, rolls back overreaching Biden-era restrictions like the lead ammunition mandates, and opens up more opportunities for the next generation of sportsmen. I'm proud to support this action and applaud President Trump for rolling back the overreach of the previous administration."
Rep. Addison McDowell: "Proud to join hundreds of anglers and hunters tonight as President Trump just signed an executive order reversing Biden-era restrictions on America's outdoorsmen. By cutting burdensome red tape on fishermen and bringing outdoor recreation into the 21st century, President Trump is putting the American Outdoorsman First!"
The National Rifle Association: "The NRA is proud to stand beside @POTUS to protect the Second Amendment nationwide. We applaud President Trump's newest executive orders protecting the storied tradition of American outdoorsmanship."
Center for Sportfish Policy President and CEO Jeff Angers: "This Executive Order is a historic recognition of what millions of American anglers and coastal communities have known for decades: marine recreational fishing deserves a management system built for the way Americans fish. By prioritizing better data, stronger state partnerships and modern management approaches, President Trump's order builds on our conservation gains creating a path to more reliable access and opportunity in America's oceans."
National Shooting Sports Foundation President and CEO Joe Bartozzi: "Today's Executive Order by President Trump demonstrates that this administration stands with America's sportsmen and women. This is a tremendous victory to ensure that America's hunting heritage is protected for today's hunters and the coming generations of outdoorsmen and women. NSSF has long championed several of these key policy issues, including protecting the right to use traditional ammunition, accessing public lands and increasing opportunities for Sunday hunting. We are proud to have led this fight and prouder still that the Trump administration is embracing commonsense policies to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports across America."
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President and CEO Jeff Crane: "The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation commends President Trump for bringing together leaders from across the sportsmen's community and recognizing the tremendous contributions hunters, anglers, trappers, and recreational shooters make to our nation. America's outdoor heritage is one of our nation's greatest traditions, and today's event demonstrates the President's continued commitment to ensuring these traditions remain strong for generations to come."
Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam: "Hunters have been our nation's most ardent conservationists for generations, and it's terrific to see President Trump publicly recognize that in the White House Rose Garden. This Executive Order is an acknowledgment of hunters' longstanding contributions to conservation, hunting access, sound waterfowl science, and hunter education. Our proud hunting heritage has been woven into the fabric of our great nation's identity for 250 years, and this sort of commitment will help ensure it remains that way for future generations."
Delta Waterfowl CEO Jason Tharpe: "We sincerely appreciate the President's Executive Order as it highlights a number of Delta's priorities for both ducks and duck hunters. Having the President affirm the need for access, addressing infrastructure on public lands, enhancing habitat through agreements with willing landowners and ensuring waterfowl hunting regulations are based on the best available data are all core needs and we appreciate the President's leadership. Delta Waterfowl is deeply appreciative of President Trump's historic announcement in furtherance of America's hunting and conservation heritage. Simply put, this executive order will serve to benefit ducks and duck hunters for years to come and we look forward to working closely with the administration toward its implementation."
National Marine Manufacturers Association President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer: "Recreational boating and fishing are the foundation of America's outdoor heritage and an important driver of our nation's recreation economy. [Yesterday's] actions further reaffirm the importance of ensuring Americans can access and enjoy our nation's waters. Access supports American manufacturing, jobs, and small businesses across the country. Thank you to President Trump and his administration for recognizing the value of outdoor recreation and the American industries and communities it supports."
Coastal Conservation Association President and CEO Pat Murray: "We're grateful the Administration has taken this opportunity to emphasize the social and economic importance of recreational fishing. State-based management has never been more important for our federal fisheries and we applaud this critical need being highlighted in this Executive Order."
American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Glenn Hughes: "The American Sportfishing Association thanks President Trump for this decisive action to improve management and data collection for America's saltwater fisheries. This Executive Order will have long-term benefits for the sportfishing industry and America's 15.5 million saltwater recreational anglers."
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation President and CEO Kyle Weaver: "On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), we thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the vital role hunters play in sustaining wildlife and for issuing the Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage Executive Order that strongly aligns with RMEF's mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. We are honored by the president's invitation to attend the White House ceremony where the policy was announced.
The order's focus on expanding public access, actively managing habitat, facilitating wildlife movement and habitat connectivity, strengthening cooperation with state wildlife agencies, supporting science-based management of game populations, addressing predators and other population-limiting factors, and combatting invasive species closely reflects RMEF's work for more than four decades. These priorities are central to our mission, and we look forward to working with the administration, federal agencies and state partners as the order is implemented."
Sportsman Boats CEO Tommy Hancock: "Healthy fisheries and access to them go hand in hand. For American boat builders, this is about more than the boats we build. It's about the families who spend time together on the water, the men and women whose livelihoods depend on the marine industry and our shared responsibility to conserve these resources. We appreciate President Trump and his Administration recognizing the importance of recreational fishing and taking action to strengthen conservation, improve fisheries management and preserve meaningful access."
Rivers of Recovery Chairman Mitch Butler: "Rivers of Recovery commends the Trump Administration for recognizing the importance of America's hunting and fishing traditions and expanding access to these opportunities for our nation's veterans. Our years of research have proven that intentionally designed outdoor experiences can produce measurable improvements in the well being of combat veterans, including reductions in symptoms of post traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. By strengthening access to hunting, fishing and the outdoors, this action supports both the healing of our nation's veterans and the conservation heritage that makes these experiences possible."
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Vice President of Government Affairs Ariel Wiegard: "America's hunting heritage is worth protecting--and that starts with putting more wildlife on the landscape and more opportunity within reach of hunters. From expanding access to public lands to investing in the habitat, wildlife management, and community spirit needed to sustain the legacy of iconic game species like bobwhite quail, this Executive Order recognizes that conservation and hunting go hand in hand. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to work alongside the Trump Administration, states, landowners, and hunters to ensure America's hunting traditions remain strong for generations to come."
Mule Deer Foundation President and CEO Greg Sheehan: "Growing mule deer and other game populations requires healthy habitat and strong partnerships. We appreciate President Trump and his Administration's focus on working with states, landowners, and conservation partners to address the factors limiting these herds. The Mule Deer Foundation stands ready to help deliver measurable conservation results."
American Association of Meat Processors Executive Director Chris Young: "The American Association of Meat Processors is proud to support the President's Hunter's Bill of Rights. We are particularly excited about the effort to expand wild game donation programs across the United States and our members, the small meat processors of the country who butcher the vast majority of the wild game meat, stand ready to help keep this promise to the American people."
National Deer Association President and CEO Nick Pinizzotto: "The National Deer Association is proud to celebrate the announcement of a Hunter's Bill of Rights, especially the President's keen attention to the issue of venison donation. There are so many places in this country that are experiencing hyperabundant deer populations. Venison donation programs are good for hunters, good for agricultural producers, and good for our small business partners in the meat processing community. We are excited to continue our work on this issue as hunting seasons start to open across the country"
Wild Sheep Foundation CEO Gray Thornton: "The Wild Sheep Foundation applauds the administration's continued emphasis on hunting access, voluntary work with landowners, and care for public lands as vital parts of wildlife conservation. The Castle Mountains National Monument was wrongly closed to hunters and now we can look forward to correcting that error."
Boone and Crockett Club CEO Tony Schoonen: "As fall hunting seasons begin across the country, the Boone and Crockett Club appreciates the administration's timely attention to the important issues facing wildlife today. We look forward to working with the now mobilized agencies to address today's challenges with quail, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and other species not yet fully recovered."
American Conservation Coalition President Chris Barnard: "Hunting and fishing are ingrained in the DNA of our nation and serve as crucial tools for the conservation of our natural heritage. The American Conservation Coalition and our 150,000 grassroots members are glad to see the administration's efforts to expand access and continue this American tradition in balance with our conservation needs."
Contender Boats CEO Joe Neber: "The future of recreational fishing depends on healthy oceans and healthy fisheries. Anglers have long understood that good conservation and good access are connected. By putting better science, modern technology and more effective management at the center of federal fisheries policy, this Executive Order provides a stronger foundation for both."
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/09/what-they-are-saying-president-trump-delivers-historic-victories-for-americas-hunters-anglers-and-outdoorsmen/
White House: President Trump Extends Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing to Every Medicaid Program in America
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The White House issued the following news:
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President Trump Extends Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing to Every Medicaid Program in America
September 18, 2026
For decades, Presidents have promised to cut prescription drug prices, but only President Donald J. Trump has delivered. Prescription drug prices have now recorded their sharpest annual drop in more than 60 years -- and those lower prices now reach every Medicaid program in America.
President Trump is the first President to actually lower prescription drug prices.
Official data confirms the largest annual
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The White House issued the following news:
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President Trump Extends Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing to Every Medicaid Program in America
September 18, 2026
For decades, Presidents have promised to cut prescription drug prices, but only President Donald J. Trump has delivered. Prescription drug prices have now recorded their sharpest annual drop in more than 60 years -- and those lower prices now reach every Medicaid program in America.
President Trump is the first President to actually lower prescription drug prices.
Official data confirms the largest annualdecline in more than 60 years -- the steepest drop since 1963 -- with prices falling every month of 2026.
President Trump ended the era of Americans paying the highest drug prices on Earth.
Through Most Favored Nation pricing, 26 of the world's largest drugmakers -- covering 90% of the branded U.S. market -- have agreed to bring U.S. prices in line with the lowest paid by comparable developed nations. These agreements are projected to save Americans more than $600 billion.
Every state Medicaid program in the nation now gets Most Favored Nation drug prices.
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are in, unlocking nearly $65 billion in Medicaid drug savings over the next decade -- real relief for low-income families, children, seniors, and the disabled, and another big win for taxpayers.
TrumpRx is already putting hundreds of millions back in patients' pockets.
The platform has delivered more than $700 million in savings and now covers more than 1,000 branded and generic medicines. GLP-1 drugs that once cost over $1,000 a month start as low as $149; eligible Medicare seniors pay just $50 a month, with more than 500,000 seniors already saving $216 million. Fertility drugs, inhalers, insulin, cholesterol treatments, and dozens of other high-cost drugs have been slashed 50-90% or more.
President Trump is bringing drug manufacturing home and securing our supply chain.
The same 26 companies have committed about $170 billion to U.S. manufacturing and R&D and are stocking the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve -- cutting America's dependence on foreign supply chains for essential medicines.
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/09/president-trump-extends-most-favored-nation-pricing-to-every-medicaid-program-in-america/
State Dept. Readout: Secretary Rubio's Meeting With Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho
Readout
Office of the Spokesman
September 18, 2026
The below is attributable to Spokesman Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to discuss a range of issues central to the U.S.-ROK Alliance.
Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Cho pledged ongoing collaboration across key strategic sectors, including semiconductors. Secretary Rubio reiterated the importance
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho
Readout
Office of the Spokesman
September 18, 2026
The below is attributable to Spokesman Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to discuss a range of issues central to the U.S.-ROK Alliance.
Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Cho pledged ongoing collaboration across key strategic sectors, including semiconductors. Secretary Rubio reiterated the importanceof cooperating to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and also underscored the critical need for a fair, transparent, and equitable business environment for American companies operating in the Republic of Korea. He also emphasized the importance of securing supply chains for our critical industries. Furthermore, he stressed the swift execution of investment commitments from the 2025 Joint Fact Sheet.
The Secretary and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK. They also reinforced the critical importance of U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation in safeguarding regional security and upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/09/secretary-rubios-meeting-with-republic-of-korea-foreign-minister-cho-4/
State Dept. Readout: Secretary Rubio's Meeting With Foreign Minister Budrys
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Foreign Minister Budrys
Readout
Office of the Spokesman
September 18, 2026
The below is attributable to Spokesman Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met yesterday with Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys to strengthen U.S-Lithuania political and security cooperation. The Secretary welcomed Lithuania reaching its Hague defense spending target ahead of schedule. The Secretary and Foreign Minister signed the U.S.-Lithuania Critical Minerals Framework to strengthen
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Foreign Minister Budrys
Readout
Office of the Spokesman
September 18, 2026
The below is attributable to Spokesman Tommy Pigott:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met yesterday with Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys to strengthen U.S-Lithuania political and security cooperation. The Secretary welcomed Lithuania reaching its Hague defense spending target ahead of schedule. The Secretary and Foreign Minister signed the U.S.-Lithuania Critical Minerals Framework to strengthenadvanced technology and defense supply chains. They discussed the importance of opposing the abuses of the Cuban regime.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/09/secretary-rubios-meeting-with-foreign-minister-budrys/
Secretary of State Rubio Issues Statement on Nepal Constitution Day
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Nepal Constitution Day
Press Statement
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
September 18, 2026
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my sincere congratulations to the people of Nepal as you mark Constitution Day on September 19.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities devastated by the recent flash flood, including our fellow Americans affected by this tragedy. As search, rescue, and recovery efforts continue, the United States joins Nepal in mourning the lives lost
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Nepal Constitution Day
Press Statement
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
September 18, 2026
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my sincere congratulations to the people of Nepal as you mark Constitution Day on September 19.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities devastated by the recent flash flood, including our fellow Americans affected by this tragedy. As search, rescue, and recovery efforts continue, the United States joins Nepal in mourning the lives lostand stands committed to supporting recovery efforts.
The U.S.-Nepal relationship spans nearly 80 years, and the United States looks forward to further strengthening our partnership through the expansion of trade, innovation, and investment ties to benefit both our nations in the years to come.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/09/nepal-constitution-day-2/
Secretary of State Rubio Issues Statement on Chile National Day
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Chile National Day
Press Statement
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
September 18, 2026
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of Chile as they celebrate their National Day, commemorating the beginning of their journey to independence in 1810.
Our countries share centuries of trade, investment, and building strong democracies, which have provided security and prosperity for both our peoples. Now, under the strong leadership of President Kast, we are working
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The U.S. State Department issued the following news release:
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Chile National Day
Press Statement
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
September 18, 2026
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of Chile as they celebrate their National Day, commemorating the beginning of their journey to independence in 1810.
Our countries share centuries of trade, investment, and building strong democracies, which have provided security and prosperity for both our peoples. Now, under the strong leadership of President Kast, we are workingtogether more closely than ever to combat the scourge of transnational crime and unchecked illegal immigration. Looking to a shared future, our two nations are also collaborating closely to secure supply chains and advance critical scientific inquiry.
Let us continue to work together to make our countries, and the region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
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Original text here: https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/09/chile-national-day-2/
President Trump Issues Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- President Trump issued the following proclamation:
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RESTRICTION ON ENTRY OF CERTAIN NONIMMIGRANT WORKERS
September 18, 2026
On September 19, 2025, Proclamation 10973 (Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers) (2025 Proclamation), was issued to address significant abuses of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The restrictions enacted by the 2025 Proclamation have proven to be highly effective but the underlying conditions necessitating the restrictions persist. It is therefore in the interests of the United States to extend the 2025 Proclamation for an
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- President Trump issued the following proclamation:
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RESTRICTION ON ENTRY OF CERTAIN NONIMMIGRANT WORKERS
September 18, 2026
On September 19, 2025, Proclamation 10973 (Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers) (2025 Proclamation), was issued to address significant abuses of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The restrictions enacted by the 2025 Proclamation have proven to be highly effective but the underlying conditions necessitating the restrictions persist. It is therefore in the interests of the United States to extend the 2025 Proclamation for anadditional 12 months, until 12:00 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2027.
As explained in the 2025 Proclamation, the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers in high-skilled functions into the United States, but it has been exploited to replace, not supplement, American workers with lower-paid labor. Certain employers, including information technology (IT) staffing and outsourcing firms, have abused the system to suppress wages and displace American workers, and this has both harmed the labor market for American workers while also making it difficult to attract and retain the most highly skilled temporary workers. IT staffing and outsourcing firms were found to supply a large volume of entry-level temporary H 1B workers, generally at a much lower salary compared to full time, traditional workers, and some of these firms later outsourced IT roles to cheap labor markets overseas. This has led to a proliferation of lower-paid foreign labor flooding the American labor market and making it difficult for American workers and recent graduates, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, to find employment.
To combat these abuses, the 2025 Proclamation set forth a restriction on entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers, except for those petitions that were accompanied or supplemented by a $100,000 payment, subject to very limited exceptions. The 2025 Proclamation went into effect on September 21, 2025, and, since then, the $100,000 payment has been made for over 700 petitions.
Additionally, the 2025 Proclamation required initiation of rulemakings by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) to address systemic H-1B program concerns. On December 29, 2025, DHS published a final rule, titled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions, 90 Fed. Reg. 60864 (DHS final rule), to address the policy goals consistent with section 4(b) of the 2025 Proclamation. Through this rule, DHS created and implemented a weighted selection process that prioritizes the allocation of visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens to better protect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for American workers. This policy better serves the intent of the H-1B statutory scheme, incentivizes employers to recruit temporary workers for roles at the highest pay and skill levels, and was in effect for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap season. On March 27, 2026, DOL published a notice of proposed rulemaking, titled Improving Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Foreign Nationals in the United States, 91 Fed. Reg. 15454, to address the policy goals consistent with section 4(a) of the 2025 Proclamation. The DOL's analysis of labor condition application data found that the average wage actually paid to H-1B workers, and the prevailing wage assigned to their positions, both remain well below the average wage earned by comparable American workers. The rule, once finalized, will better align prevailing wage levels with wages paid to similarly employed and located American workers and will strengthen overall program integrity. Finally, my Administration continues to explore other complementary efforts that would, among other things, reform the H-1B program and assist with cost-recovery for immigration program administration.
Since the effective date of the 2025 Proclamation and subsequent promulgation of the DHS final rule, there have been several measurable impacts on the H-1B program, including a significant reduction in H-1B registrations filed by large IT outsourcing firms, with the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms reducing their combined H-1B registrations from 24,946 to 2,055, a 92 percent decrease. There has also been a large reduction in consular processing requests, which are used to bring workers into the United States, noting a nearly 97 percent decrease from the FY 2025 to FY 2027 cap seasons. Finally, there has been a positive shift in FY 2027 H-1B registration and selection data toward higher-skilled and higher-paid workers, with registrations for beneficiaries with at least a U.S. Master's degree rising from 45.1 percent of total registrants for FY 2026 to 66.1 percent for FY 2027. Job offers with wages corresponding to the two highest wage levels accounted for approximately 46.3 percent of H-1B registration selections while those corresponding with the lowest wage level accounted for only 17.8 percent. It is reasonable to conclude that the required $100,000 payment and newly implemented weighted selection process have had the combined effect of deterring low-wage and low-skilled recruitment while increasing access for high-skilled and high-wage workers, as intended by the 2025 Proclamation.
Although the 2025 Proclamation and subsequent rulemaking have had the desired effects, the underlying conditions precipitating their issuance persist and, without an extension of the 2025 Proclamation, it is highly likely that progress will halt and program abuse will resume, undermining American workers and posing a threat to the labor market that would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The 2025 Proclamation highlighted a number of concerns, including high unemployment rates for recent graduates, wage suppression, fraud, and national security threats. Currently, these issues continue to undermine our economy, with unemployment rates for recent college graduates standing at 5.7 percent as of June 2026, a marginal decrease from September 2025, when the rate was 5.8 percent. Underemployment for recent college graduates also continues to cause concern, having risen from 41.8 percent in September 2025 to 42 percent as of June 2026. Additionally, while DOL is actively in the process of promulgating a rule to restore integrity to the prevailing wage system, it will take a significant amount of time to correct and balance the labor market. Finally, while fraud and abuse continue to be identified and investigated, these are ongoing and pervasive concerns that require a sustained, comprehensive response reflected in the entry restriction imposed by the 2025 Proclamation.
A review of the 2025 Proclamation's impacts and other recent policy changes has shown significant measurable changes in H-1B filing patterns that demonstrate the effectiveness of the 2025 Proclamation and a need for its extension. An extension of the 2025 Proclamation will continue to protect the economic and national security interests of the United States, improve labor market access for American workers and graduates, and ensure that employers recruit only the most highly-skilled and essential alien workers when needed in line with the original intent of the program. As a result, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Homeland Security have jointly recommended an extension of the 2025 Proclamation.
As a result of these reviews and considerations, I have decided to continue to impose the limitations set forth in Proclamation 10973 on the entry into the United States by certain nonimmigrant workers. Accordingly, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Restriction on Entry. (a) Pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a)), the entry into the United States of aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in a specialty occupation under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), is restricted, except for those aliens whose petitions are accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000 -- subject to the exceptions set forth in subsection (c) of this section. This restriction shall expire, absent extension, 12 months after the effective date of this proclamation, which shall be 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2026.
(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall restrict decisions on petitions not accompanied by a $100,000 payment for H-1B specialty occupation workers under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the INA, who are currently outside the United States, for 12 months following the effective date of this proclamation as set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The restriction imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to any individual alien, all aliens working for a company, or all aliens working in an industry, if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines, in the Secretary's discretion, that the hiring of such aliens to be employed as H-1B specialty occupation workers is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.
Sec. 2. Compliance. (a) Employers shall, prior to filing an H-1B petition on behalf of an alien outside the United States, obtain and retain documentation showing that the payment described in section 1 of this proclamation has been made.
(b) The Secretary of State shall verify receipt of payment of the amount described in section 1 of this proclamation during the H-1B visa petition process and shall approve only those visa applications for which the filing employer has made the payment described in section 1 of this proclamation.
(c) The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security shall coordinate to take all necessary and appropriate action to implement this proclamation and to deny entry to the United States to any H-1B nonimmigrant for whom the prospective employer has not made the payment described in section 1 of this proclamation.
Sec. 3. Scope and Implementation of Restriction on Entry. (a) The restriction on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall apply only to aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States after the effective date of this proclamation as set forth in section 1(a) of this proclamation. This restriction applies to aliens who must seek admission to the United States to effectuate the approval of a petition described in section 1 of this proclamation, including through consular notification, notification at a port of entry, pre flight inspection, or pre-clearance.
(b) No later than 30 days following the completion of the H-1B lottery that immediately follows this proclamation, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor, a recommendation on whether an additional extension or renewal of the restriction on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation is in the interests of the United States.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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Original text here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers-faad/
