Stop Hiring in India’: Trump’s New Warning to Tech Giants and the Shocking Cost of the H-1B Visa
WASHINGTON D.C.—In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a powerful new warning to American companies like Google and Microsoft to “stop hiring in India” and refocus their job creation efforts on American soil.
The comments, made during a recent AI summit in Washington, are part of a broader, aggressive push to restrict the entry of foreign talent and reshape the nation’s immigration system to be more aligned with an “America First” agenda.
The Details of the New H-1B Rules
Trump’s warning follows the implementation of a staggering $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa petitions. The fee, which went into effect on September 21, 2025, is a major increase from the previous range of $2,000 to $6,000 and is designed to make it more expensive for U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers.
Beyond the fee, the administration has proposed a sweeping set of reforms to the H-1B program, including:
- A Narrower Definition of ‘Specialty Occupation’: New rules would require a more direct link between an applicant’s academic degree and their job duties, a significant change from previous, more flexible interpretations.
- Increased Scrutiny: Companies that place H-1B workers at third-party worksites—a common practice in the tech and consulting sectors—will now face increased oversight.
- Restrictions on Green Cards: The administration is also signaling an intent to tighten access to employment-based green cards by restricting employers’ ability to use visas like the O-1A (for individuals with “extraordinary ability”).
The Disproportionate Impact on India
The new policies are expected to have a particularly severe impact on Indian tech professionals, who are the largest recipients of H-1B visas. In 2024, Indian nationals received more than 70% of all H-1B visas.
India’s tech sector, which generates over $135 billion in annual exports to the U.S., is heavily reliant on this visa pipeline. Industry experts warn that the new policies could force U.S. firms to shift more work to India, leading to a fundamental restructuring of how American tech companies approach staffing and operations.
The announcement has already caused a wave of confusion and panic among Indian visa holders and their families, with many scrambling to re-enter the U.S. to avoid being stranded. While the White House later clarified that the fee would not apply to existing visa holders or renewals, the broader policy changes are still causing immense concern.
Conclusion
President Trump’s new H-1B fee and visa restrictions are a clear continuation of a more protectionist stance on immigration. While proponents argue the move will protect American jobs, critics warn it could cripple innovation and negatively impact key international relationships. For Indian professionals, who have long relied on the H-1B as a pathway to a U.S. career, the new policies create a landscape of unprecedented uncertainty and are likely to fuel a significant pivot toward other countries with more welcoming immigration systems.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on public statements from U.S. officials and a proposal from the Department of Homeland Security titled “Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program.” The policies and their full impact are subject to public comment, legal challenges, and further clarification. Readers should consult the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for the most current information and seek legal counsel for specific immigration advice.
Official Website Link: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/
