On March 20th USCIS announced that it has suspended premium processing for H-1B visa applications. Premium processing allows applicants to know whether they have been selected for an H-1B visa within 15 days by paying an additional fee. Paying for premium processing does not guarantee selection in the highly competitive and overly subscribed visa for professionals. However, it does offer peace of mind and additional planning time for those who are not selected.
The decision is another effort by the Trump administration to protect American jobs, even though the jobs filled by H-1B applicants lack available skilled American workers.