Dennis Nixon, the boss of Texas's International Bank of Commerce, has jumped into the hot debate on the H-1B visa fees. This visa lets skilled foreign workers work in the US. The Trump administration slapped a huge $100,000 fee on it, hoping to stop companies from hiring too many H-1B workers. But Nixon says this big fee will only hurt small businesses and startups, not tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, or Apple. These big companies have deep pockets, but smaller ones will find it tough to hire talented foreigners. Nixon called the fee "prohibitive" in an opinion piece for the San Antonio Express News. He reminded readers that more than 45% of Fortune 500 companies got their start from immigrants or their children. Big names like Nvidia, SpaceX, and Alphabet all began as tiny ventures powered by immigrant talent. There’s a common myth that H-1B workers take jobs away from Americans, but Nixon says it’s not true. Companies must prove they aren’t replacing US workers before they get an H-1B visa. "Immigrant workers have different skills and fill jobs that support, not compete with, American workers," he explained. “Immigrants are also consumers who live and work in the United States. They contribute directly to the nation’s gross domestic product by investing their earnings back into the economy, driving growth and creating new jobs. They are more often of working age, and more likely to have children and start businesses at higher rates than native-born Americans — further expanding the labor market," Nixon wrote. The CEO also highlighted that since 1990, the H-1B visa program has helped workers with at least a bachelor’s degree get fast entry into the US. These skilled workers fill special roles in finance, tech, and other top industries without replacing Americans. Nixon warned of another problem: America’s workforce is ageing. Every day, nearly 11,400 American workers retire, but only about 7,212 new workers join. This creates a skill gap that only foreign workers can fill. If skilled foreign workers leave the US, finding qualified employees will get even tougher. The H-1B visa has been very controversial. The Trump administration raised fees to make companies think twice before hiring H-1B workers. Still, President Donald Trump said America needs these visas for certain skills. Nixon's words shine a light on how tricky this balance really is—between protecting American jobs and welcoming much-needed foreign talent.