Trump makes big 'gamble' with move to slap steep new fee on key program

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a new order Friday that will slap a steep fee on a key immigration program that allows U.S. companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty jobs that require highly specialized knowledge and the equivalent of a bachelor's degree.

Trump's proclamation would impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B applications, according to Bloomberg and CNN. CNN reporter Kristen Holmes told viewers on Friday that tech companies usually use such workers.

"This is clearly taking a gamble or a bet here that they could afford that $100,000," she said.

Trump has said companies are abusing the system and are restricting their search to foreign workers, leaving Americans out to dry. He's essentially saying companies must "really want this foreign employee to come in and work for your company, because you're going to have to pay this huge amount of money for them," Holmes noted.

Trump also plans to order the Labor Secretary to begin drafting rules to change existing wage levels for the H-1B program, to prevent companies from exploiting the program by undercutting wages that would otherwise be paid to American workers.