California's public schools are facing a growing challenge as the Biden administration's new visa fee, implemented under a policy change initiated by former President Donald Trump, continues to make it increasingly difficult for schools to attract and hire foreign-born teachers. The new fee, which can reach up to $540 per application, has significantly raised the bar for schools seeking to hire international educators, many of whom are in high demand due to teacher shortages in the state. As a result, California schools are struggling to find qualified candidates, with some districts reporting a decline in the number of international teacher applications. The fee hike has sparked concerns among education officials and advocates, who argue that it will exacerbate the state's teacher shortage and have a disproportionate impact on low-income and rural communities.
Trump's new visa fee is making it harder to hire teachers at many California schools CalMatters