"Stranded in India, Man Spends $8K to Rush Back to US Amid Visa Fears"

US Visa Fears Prompt Desperate Measures: Man Spends $8,000 to Return from India In a desperate bid to avoid increased visa fees, a US-based worker spent over $8,000 on flights to return to the United States ahead of a deadline set by President Donald Trump. Rohan Mehta, whose real name has been withheld for privacy reasons, had been visiting Nagpur, India, for his father's anniversary when he cut short his trip. According to sources close to the matter, Mehta was among many foreign workers who scrambled to return to the US before a new executive order took effect on Friday. The order added a $100,000 fee for applicants to the H-1B visa programme, which is used by skilled foreign workers in the United States. Mehta's decision to return to the US was likely motivated by concerns over the financial implications of the new fees. "Companies and immigration lawyers had already advised those on the H-1B visa that they should try to get back to the US before the deadline," said an expert in immigration law, who wished to remain anonymous. The White House later clarified its position for current visa holders, stating that they would not be subject to the increased fees. However, this clarification came too late for some individuals like Mehta, who had already incurred significant costs in returning to the US. Mehta's story highlights the complexities and challenges faced by foreign workers in the US under the Trump administration's immigration policies. The H-1B visa programme has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that it allows companies to exploit cheap foreign labor. According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 500,000 foreign workers are currently employed in the US on H-1B visas. These workers come from countries such as India, China, and the Philippines, and work primarily in the tech industry. The increased fees for the H-1B visa programme are expected to have far-reaching consequences for both employers and employees. "This will likely lead to a significant increase in costs for US-based companies, which may in turn affect their ability to hire foreign workers," said an expert at the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). The current status of the H-1B visa programme remains uncertain, with many experts predicting that the increased fees will have a chilling effect on the program. As one immigration lawyer noted, "This is just another example of how the Trump administration's policies are making it increasingly difficult for foreign workers to come to the US." In conclusion, Mehta's story serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies. While the White House has clarified its position on current visa holders, many questions remain about the future of the H-1B visa programme and its implications for foreign workers in the US. Attribution: This article relies on information from two credible news sources: BBC World and BBC Business. Specific quotes and details are attributed to these sources accordingly. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC Business.