It seems fending off illegal immigrants today is no longer enough.

Asserting that the H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers have been “deliberately exploited to replace” American workers, President Trump's Sept. 19 executive order slaps a slew of restrictions — including a $100,000 fee — on newly issued visas. With an overwhelming majority of the applicants from technology-related sectors, the order is another speedbump for the most sought-after foreign technology professionals during the fiercest global artificial intelligence talent race yet.

As competition from China calls for the strongest possible advance, the H-1B visa fee is a decisive retreat. The H-1B remains a most cost-effective tourniquet against an imminent technology brain drain. Rather than charging a hefty premium, the U.S. should double the H-1B quota to avoid training a workforce only to gift it to other countries — or worse, to its........

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