David Beer, defending Indians against Trump’s order, said, “Now the president has issued an executive order that criminalizes these people. Indians are perhaps one of the most peaceful, hardworking, and productive groups in American history.”
New York/Washington: President Trump has dealt a major blow to H-1B visa holders. He signed an ordinance requiring H-1B visa holders to enter the United States only after paying an additional fee of approximately $100,000, or 8.8 million rupees. Trump’s order has also caused panic among American companies.
In such a situation, US immigration lawyers and companies have issued a warning to their employees, saying, “Visa holders who are outside the US should return immediately, otherwise they may get stuck in America or they will not be able to get entry again due to the new announcement of President Donald Trump which will come into effect from September 21.”
Trump’s order will come into effect on September 21.
Trump signed a proclamation on Friday that will now allow non-immigrants working in “specialty occupations” to enter the US only if an additional fee of $100,000 is submitted with their H-1B petition. This new rule will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 21, 2025.
India also affected
This order by Trump will also affect professionals from countries like India who are working in the US on H-1B visas. Now lawyers and companies have warned that visa holders or their family members who are currently outside the US for work or holidays should return to the US immediately… otherwise the way back may be closed. Especially “For H-1B holders stranded in India, time may have run out, as no direct flights can reach the US on time. But it is possible that someone may still somehow reach California before midnight on September 21.”
Lawyers and companies in a tizzy
Trump’s order has created a stir among US immigration lawyers and companies. Renowned immigration lawyer Cyrus Mehta said on X, “H-1B visa holders who are currently outside the US…whether on business trips or vacations…may be stranded if they do not return to the US before midnight on September 21st.” Microsoft has also warned its H-1B employees, asking them not to leave the US and to return immediately if they are outside. The company also said that employees should “remain in the US until further notice” so that they do not face any problems in returning.
What will happen to the families of H-1B visa holders?
Dependents of H-1B visa holders (family members living in the US on H-4 visas) are also being advised to remain in the country, even though the President’s proclamation does not explicitly mention them. David Beer, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, said, “Indian H-1B workers have made countless contributions to America. These include hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes, billions of dollars in fees, and trillions of dollars in services. These people are among the most peaceful, intelligent, and interesting communities, but what have they received in return? …slander and discrimination.”
Beer upset over denial of green cards to Indians
“The US legal immigration system discriminates against Indians at every level. For decades, they have been denied green cards simply because of where they were born,” Beer said. “They are subject to rules that apply to no one else. Employers have to advertise jobs for others, pay high fees and lawyer costs, and changing jobs or locations is extremely difficult. They said their children, who came to the US at a young age and are now full-fledged Americans, are told by law to leave the country after turning 18 or win the green card ‘lottery’… and even if they do, they face discrimination like their parents.” (PTI)
