The U.S. is rolling out a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions starting Sunday, sending shockwaves through the tech sector and sparking international concerns. The one-time charge, confirmed by the White House, applies per petition and won’t impact current visa holders re-entering the country. But the move has already triggered a scramble among companies and workers. 💼⚡
Tech Giants Sound the Alarm
Major firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan reportedly urged H-1B employees to stay in the U.S. to avoid the new costs, per internal emails. Immigration lawyers warned travelers to return before Sunday’s deadline. Critics argue the policy could disrupt projects relying on global talent—think coders, engineers, and innovators shaping Silicon Valley. 🖥️🔧
India’s Humanitarian Warning
India, which secured 71% of U.S. H-1B visas last year, called the fee hike a potential "humanitarian crisis" for families. Its $283 billion IT sector fears project delays and operational chaos. South Korea also pledged to assess impacts on its workers and businesses. 🌏🤝
Trump’s Immigration Overhaul
The policy marks the latest in Trump’s push to tighten immigration, including limiting legal pathways. While officials claim it prioritizes U.S. graduates, critics say it risks stifling innovation. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the move: "Train someone from our great universities instead." 🎓🇺🇸
As tensions simmer between the U.S. and India over recent tariff hikes, this visa shift adds fuel to the fire—and leaves tech’s future balancing on a $100K question. 🔥💸
