H-1B workers abroad race to US as Trump extortion scheme sparks dismay, confusion

Source: Reuters

“Panic, confusion, and anger reigned as workers on H-1B visas from India and China were forced to abandon travel plans and rush back to the U.S. after President Donald Trump imposed new visa fees, in line with his wide-ranging immigration crackdown. Tech companies and banks sent urgent memos to employees, advising them to return before a deadline of 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time Sunday (4:01 am GMT), and telling them not to leave the country. … Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday said companies would have to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas. However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X on Saturday that this was not an annual fee, only a one-time fee that applied to each new petition.” (09/21/25)

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/fast-furious-h-1b-workers-abroad-race-us-trump-order-sparks-dismay-confusion-2025-09-21/