H-1B Visas and Immigration Compliance in Fashion with Maka Hutson

In this episode, Kenya Wiley sits down with Maka Hutson, immigration attorney and leader of Akin's immigration practice, to discuss how changes in U.S. immigration policy could affect fashion creatives and the industry's future talent pipeline. On September 19, President Trump signed a proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions filed on or after September 21—a massive jump from the current fee of approximately $3,600. Days later, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a proposed rule to overhaul the H-1B selection process with a weighted system that favors higher-paid workers (public comments are due by Friday, October 24). While H-1B visas are often associated with Big Tech, fashion companies also depend on H-1B workers in design, marketing, media, engineering, and data science—especially as brands weave AI and other emerging technologies into their operations.Kenya and Maka also discuss immigration compliance, workplace audits, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students and its connection to the H-1B process, O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, and what brands should know about bringing creative teams to the U.S. for major fashion shows and events.This episode was recorded on Monday, October 21, 2025.Connect with Maka Hutson here.Read the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H–1B Petitions (comments due October 24, 2025). For more on fashion law, politics, and policy, follow SUITED on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter here.