VOI World/ Astha Pandey
A group of American lawmakers has urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw his recent proclamation of imposing a 100,000 USD fee on new H-1B visa petitions, warning that the move could damage US-India relations and weaken America’s technology competitiveness.
Earlier this year in September, an order, titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” was passed that stated to levy the one-time fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. The administration has defended the move as an attempt to “prioritize domestic employment and reduce visa misuse”, but critics argue that it could have far-reaching economic and diplomatic consequences.
However, several lawmakers across the party lines, including members of both the House and Senate, have now expressed concerns that such a steep fee would discourage skilled professionals from contributing to the US technology ecosystem particularly those from India, which accounts for a significant share of H-1B visa holders. They warned that the policy could erode the United States’ long-standing reputation as a global innovation hub and further might alienate a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
Importantly, the proclamation applies only to new applications, not to existing H-1B visa holders or renewals. However, industry leaders argue that even this limited scope could disrupt recruitment cycles, burden smaller tech firms and push more talent toward countries such as Canada and the UK, which are actively courting skilled migrants.
The debate comes at a time when global competition for high-tech talent is intensifying and India-US economic cooperation especially in technology, defense and innovation remains central to both nations’ growth strategies. The move has reignited discussions about balancing domestic employment concerns with the need to remain open to global talent.
While President Trump and the White House has not yet indicated any reversal of the order, several lawmakers have requested immediate reconsideration, warning that the policy’s short-term populist appeal could inflict long-term strategic damage on America’s innovation edge and its partnership with India.
