New Delhi: “This is devastating. I can’t express it in words,” remarked an Indian technology expert in Silicon Valley upon hearing about the recent hike in H1B visa fees announced by US President Donald Trump. “I’ve invested a lot of time here in America. I’m staying positive right now, but there are moments when it’s challenging,” added another Indian professional on an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa, who was hoping to obtain H1B sponsorship to remain in the US after completing a master’s degree. A significant atmosphere of fear and uncertainty surrounds many members of the Indian diaspora, particularly young professionals employed in technology firms.
The Trump administration’s decision to increase H1B visa application fees to $100,000 per foreign worker has narrowed an already limited opportunity for Indian professionals to work in America. Historically, Indian students entering the United States on F1 student visas were able to secure employment with companies willing to sponsor them for H1B visas and, subsequently, for employment-based green cards. This pathway has been a cornerstone of the Indian-American dream, enabling many from India’s five-million-strong diaspora to establish their lives in America. Following Trump’s H1B visa decision, many in the diaspora feel this pathway is fundamentally compromised.
“The educational route of coming to America and then finding a way to stay will collapse because these visa changes make it significantly more difficult for entry-level workers to secure jobs,” stated Debarghya Das, a partner at Menlo Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. “For an Indian master’s student, it is not a prudent choice to come to America right now,” remarked another Indian professional on an H1B visa, who requested anonymity. Individuals within the diaspora expressed that Trump’s increase in H1B visa fees only exacerbates the adverse effects of other visa modifications made in the past year. “Processing times for various visa categories, including green cards, have surged.
The US government is requesting more information during the H1B visa process, leading to delays. Due to layoffs in the tech sector, many companies that previously sponsored H1B visas and green cards are no longer legally eligible to do so,” explained Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration attorney who closely collaborates with Indian professionals in the tech industry.