Washington: In the wake of the Trump administration’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, the story behind the statistics has emerged vividly in online communities like Reddit’s r/h1b. While the policy aims to reshape the H-1B program to protect American jobs and curb misuse, thousands of visa holders share a more personal and emotional tale, one marked by disruption, heartbreak, and resilience.
A Reddit post titled “I Feel You,” authored by a member of the H-1B community, poignantly captures the turmoil faced by many. The post highlights how workers who were travelling abroad were suddenly asked by their employers to cut trips short, often receiving last-minute notices to return before midnight. These abrupt demands led to cancelled plans, missed opportunities to reunite with loved ones, and loss of money, resulting in emotional and financial distress.
In the same heartbreaking anecdote, the author describes missing a long-awaited reunion with their mother, a moment that would have been their first meeting in months. The post laments the lack of compassion shown by some and pleads for recognition of the humanity behind visa numbers: “There are human lives behind the visas. We are people.”
The backdrop to this widespread anxiety is the major policy change signed on September 19, 2025, by President Donald Trump. The order introduced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions filed outside the United States, effective from September 21, 2025. This unprecedented move led to panic and cancellations of personal events such as weddings and festivals, especially in the Indian H-1B community, which forms the majority of visa holders.
Tech giants, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta, swiftly issued warnings, advising H-1B employees to avoid international travel or return promptly to avoid getting stranded due to the new rules. Although the White House later clarified the fee applies only to new visas, not renewals or current holders, the initial lack of clear guidance contributed to confusion and fear.
As the situation continues to evolve, those affected remain hopeful that clearer communication and compassionate consideration will guide future immigration reforms.
Source – https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/h1b-visa-fee-human-impact-jx13qnse