Indian American Impact has strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, calling it “reckless and devastating” and threatening America’s global leadership.
“This devastating policy threatens America’s global leadership, undermines the high-skilled workforce that drives U.S. competitiveness, and places an unbearable burden on families and businesses alike,” the leading community political advocacy group stated.
“Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on H-1B visas is a direct attack on the very workers and communities who fuel America’s economy and innovation. Its chaotic rollout sparked panic and chaos—especially for professionals abroad working or visiting family with medical emergencies,” Impact Executive Director Chintan Patel stated.
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“The consequences will be immediate and devastating: families separated, careers derailed, and communities destabilized. Immigrants have always been America’s greatest strength, building prosperity, breakthroughs, and communities that enrich us all,” he stated.
“Instead of embracing that strength, Trump is clamping down on every form of immigration, tearing families apart, destabilizing businesses, and weakening our economy.”
“This executive order is not about protecting American jobs; it is about weaponizing immigration policy to advance a xenophobic agenda,” Patel stated. “By targeting H-1B holders, Trump is both sabotaging our economic future and fueling discrimination against Indian Americans and all immigrant communities across the country.”
“The America we believe in welcomes talent, keeps families together, and builds shared prosperity.”
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Stop AAPI Hate has also criticized Trump’s order saying it “will disrupt the lives of thousands of AAPI immigrants’ pursuit for a better life.
Noting in 2024, 80% of approved HB-1 visas were from South Asian countries (71% from India), the community group stated, “It will also likely inflame already concerning levels of extremist online hate we’re seeing against South Asians.”
Recent data from Stop AAPI Hate shows a concerning rise in targeted hate in online extremist spaces towards South Asian communities, it stated. The wave of online hate is partly tied to ongoing debates around H-1B visas.
In June alone, 44,535 slurs targeting South Asian people were tracked. Additionally, May and June were the 3rd and 5th highest months for violent threats against South Asians, according to Stop AAPI Hate.