US H-1B Visa Reforms Raise Anxiety Among Indian Tech Professionals

The Trump administration's 2025 overhaul of the H-1B visa program replaces the traditional lottery system with a wage-based selection process favoring higher-paid foreign professionals, significantly impacting Indian IT workers who represent over 70% of H-1B holders. Many Indian professionals express growing anxiety about job security and immigration uncertainties; surveys reveal that 45% would return to India if they lost their jobs, while concerns include pay cuts, lifestyle changes, and deportation risks following layoffs. The reforms also coincide with a sharp decline in student visas issued to Indians, undermining the traditional pathway from education to work and eventual citizenship in the U.S. Personal stories, like that of a couple returning to India for greater work-life balance and freedom, illustrate a broader trend of reconsideration among Indian tech workers regarding their future in America. Despite official claims that the reforms protect American workers by prioritizing highly skilled and paid entrants, Indian industry leaders warn about disruptions to talent flow and economic ties. Additionally, political rhetoric urging firms to stop hiring in India fuels further unease within the community, with many questioning whether the U.S. remains a viable destination for their careers.