A new proclamation from President Donald Trump has triggered widespread panic and confusion among H-1B visa workers from India and China. The order, which introduced a new fee for H-1B visas, prompted many individuals who were traveling abroad to abruptly cancel their plans and rush back to the United States to avoid being locked out. The chaos was exacerbated by a lack of initial clarity on who the order applied to, leading companies to issue urgent advisories to their employees.
The Proclamation and its Impact
The proclamation, which took effect on September 21, 2025, requires a $100,000 fee for any new H-1B visa petitions. While a White House official later clarified that the fee only applies to new applicants and not existing visa holders or those seeking renewals, the initial panic had already set off a chain reaction.
Personal Stories of Panic and Frustration
- Delayed Flights: The article highlights an incident at San Francisco airport where an Emirates flight to Dubai was delayed after several Indian passengers who received memos from their employers demanded to deplane.
- Cancelled Vacations: An engineer from a major tech company and his wife, along with a woman traveling to Paris, were among the many individuals who had to cut their vacations short and rush back to the U.S., abandoning their plans.
- “H-1B Slave” Mentality: Some workers described their sense of helplessness and frustration on social media, with one anonymous user on the Chinese app Rednote likening their situation to a “real-life ‘Fast and Furious’ return to the US.”
Political and Economic Context
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which officials say is aimed at protecting American jobs and suppressing wages. Critics, however, argue that the H-1B program is essential for bringing in highly skilled workers and that this new policy will harm the country’s competitiveness. The proclamation has been met with dismay and alarm, as many see it as dimming America’s appeal as a destination for international talent.
