Trump Administration Imposes $100,000 Work Visa Fee Sparking Panic Among Indian Skilled Workers

US President Donald Trump's surprise executive order imposing a $100,000 fee for the H-1B visa has triggered widespread panic and confusion, especially among Indian skilled workers who represent the majority of beneficiaries of this visa program. The sudden fee hike, significantly higher than the previous range of $2,000 to $5,000, has caused chaotic scenes including passengers scrambling on flights and attempting to de-board planes after learning about the new rules. The administration justifies this move as necessary to curb program abuse and encourage hiring of American workers, but it threatens to disrupt career paths and business models reliant on global talent. Major companies like Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Amazon have advised affected employees to remain in or return to the US before the new fee took effect. The Indian government has warned that this fee increase could have humanitarian consequences due to the disruption caused to families and workers. Additionally, the broader rise in visa costs under the Trump administration is putting financial strain on foreign workers across various visa categories, compounding the challenges faced by immigrants in the US.