Global Shock Over Sharp Increase in U.S. H-1B Visa Fees Under Trump Administration
The world is reacting strongly to the Trump administration’s sudden decision to raise H-1B visa fees to around $100,000, a move that has sent shockwaves through businesses, workers, and immigrant communities.
For many permanent residents in the United States, the decision reflects what they describe as a hardline policy shift, aimed at prioritising American workers. Social media is filled with commentary, with one widely shared post recalling personal experiences of the H-1B system over the past two decades.
The post describes first arriving in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day in November 2000, a time when relatively few healthcare professionals were migrating under H-1B visas. The writer, a speech pathologist, recalls entering the country with a six-month temporary licence and being asked by immigration officers whether they would pass the permanent licensing exam within that period.
At that time, the annual H-1B quota of 65,000 visas typically took six to seven months to be filled. However, within just a few years, the technology sector began using the programme heavily. By 2004, applications were being submitted in such overwhelming numbers that the U.S. moved to a lottery-based system to allocate visas.
Concerns soon emerged about misuse of the programme. Reports surfaced of Indian-based shell companies in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu filing fraudulent applications. These firms allegedly supplied workers to U.S. companies at lower costs, undercutting American candidates. In many cases, Indian managers were accused of favouring only Indian hires, which critics argued contributed to the marginalisation of U.S.-born engineers.
Major corporations—including IBM, Microsoft, and Infosys—faced scrutiny and legal challenges amid allegations that they falsely claimed American workers with equivalent skills were unavailable.
The debate intensified during the economic downturn, as questions mounted about the long-term sustainability of the H-1B system. Supporters of higher visa fees argue that the policy correction was long overdue.
Analysts say the latest fee hike reflects Trump’s effort to protect domestic employment and reduce reliance on foreign labour. However, the impact on Indian professionals is expected to be severe. Critics in India argue that the development underscores the urgent need for policymakers—regardless of party affiliation—to create sustainable employment opportunities within India itself.
As the “American Dream” grows increasingly elusive even for U.S. citizens, observers warn that the H-1B fee hike may mark a turning point for global talent mobility, reshaping how countries balance economic opportunity with immigration.
Irish Samachar English News
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