The Department of Homeland Security proposed scrapping the lottery system and using a weighted selection favoring higher-skilled applicants. A $100,000 fee per new application was also introduced, sparking concerns of legal challenges. Pierce said the fee is “absurdly high” and likely to be contested in court.

Critics argue the changes could hurt US universities and businesses. International students contribute significant revenue for tuition and scholarships, which benefits American students. The deportation of foreign workers in some industries highlighted conflicts between immigration policies and economic goals.

The White House defended the measures as a way to prioritize American workers and prevent system abuses. Pierce acknowledged existing H-1B issues but emphasized reforms could be done carefully without dismantling the program. Corporations are reportedly hesitant to speak out due to fear of the administration.

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Caroline emphasized that the new rules will not impact current visa holders, regardless of whether they travel abroad and return . The fee increase is a one-time payment rather than an annual charge, meaning applicants will need to pay the full amount upfront when applying for a new visa.

This clarification aims to reduce confusion among Indian IT professionals and other foreign workers who rely on H1B visas for employment in the U.S. Authorities stressed that only individuals applying for new H1B visas will need to comply with the revised fee structure.

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The party argued that this decision will not only affect employment prospects for Indian IT professionals abroad but also reduce the flow of remittances back to India. With fewer Indians able to work in the US, the domestic IT sector could face additional risks, Congress cautioned.

Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party alleged that his failed foreign policies and overreliance on Trump’s friendship have led to such setbacks. It said the nation is now paying the price for Modi’s diplomatic failures.

The post ### Congress Slams Trump’s H1-B Fee Hike, Warns of Job Losses for Indians appeared first on India Podcast.

JPMorgan issued a similar advisory to its staff. It asked H-1B employees abroad to re-enter the US before the September 21 deadline.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the new rules. He said earlier visa policies allowed low-wage workers who relied on government aid. He argued that the new policy would remove the “bottom quartile” while adding over $100 billion to the US Treasury.

President Trump stated that the revenue would cut national debt and reduce taxes. However, the fee has created concern in India, as about 71% of H-1B visa holders are Indian.Indian IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and TCS rely heavily on H-1B visas. Industry leaders fear higher costs and reduced talent mobility in the tech sector.

The post Microsoft Warns H-1B Holders to Return appeared first on India Podcast.

The visa allows highly qualified workers from abroad to live and work in the US for an initial period of three years. After this, the visa can be renewed for additional years , depending on the employer’s requirement and government approval.

Every year, the US issues around 85,000 H1-B visas, and a large share of these are obtained by Indian professionals, especially in the IT sector. This visa program has been a gateway for many Indian engineers and technical experts to build careers in America, contributing significantly to the country’s economy while also supporting global talent mobility.

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