The new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas spells trouble for rural parts of the U.S. that rely on immigrants to fill vacancies in skilled professions. Small communities often face workforce shortages in critical sectors like health care and education, struggling to attract American workers from other parts of the country. International medical graduates frequently accept positions in these underserved areas, while immigrant teachers with advanced training fill essential roles from elementary school classrooms to special education. Some groups are now seeking exemptions from the Trump administration for health care professionals and K-12 educators as experts warn the fee will prove insurmountable for rural communities lacking the resources to absorb the cost.

Determined to make a change, Mozarsky began to develop Free for the Frontline Tutors in March as Covid-19 began to spread across the country.