Trump's H-1B Visa Crackdown Sparks Widespread Panic Among Tech Workers

Trump's H-1B Announcement Sparks Panic Among Tech Workers In a move that has left hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers scrambling, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday afternoon restricting the entry of H-1B visa holders into the United States. The new rule, set to take effect on Sunday, requires petitioners to accompany or supplement their applications with a payment of $100,000. Xiayun, an employee at a semiconductor company in Silicon Valley, was one of those affected by the announcement. After landing in her hometown in China for vacation, she saw the news and immediately began receiving communications from her manager urging her to return to the US as soon as possible to avoid being charged the fee. "I only stayed in Urumqi for two hours before hopping on the next flight back to California," Xiayun said. The H-1B visa program allows foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the US for up to six years. The new rule is expected to impact not just tech workers, but also industries such as healthcare and finance that rely heavily on immigrant labor. According to immigration experts, the $100,000 payment requirement is a significant barrier for many petitioners. "This new rule will disproportionately affect smaller companies and startups that may not have the financial resources to pay this fee," said Rachel Herzog, an immigration attorney based in San Francisco. The announcement has sparked widespread panic among tech workers, with many scrambling to figure out how they will be impacted by the new rule. Some are considering returning to the US as soon as possible, while others are exploring alternative visa options. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this new rule will affect the tech industry and the broader economy. However, one thing is clear: the impact of Trump's H-1B announcement will be felt far beyond Sunday's deadline. Background The H-1B visa program was established in 1990 to allow foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the US for up to six years. The program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some arguing that it allows companies to exploit cheap labor and others arguing that it is necessary to fill skills gaps in the US workforce. Additional Perspectives Immigration advocates have criticized the new rule as an attempt to restrict immigration and limit access to the US job market. "This new rule will only serve to further divide families and communities, and undermine the economic growth of our country," said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. Current Status As of Sunday, the new rule is set to take effect, requiring petitioners to accompany or supplement their applications with a payment of $100,000. However, it remains to be seen how this will impact the tech industry and the broader economy in the long term. Next developments are expected in the coming weeks as immigration experts and advocates continue to analyze the implications of the new rule and explore alternative visa options for affected workers. *Reporting by Wired.*