US Lawmaker Slams Trump’s $100K H-1B Visa Fee Hike

Democratic Congressman Ami Bera has strongly criticized President Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, calling it a “poorly thought through policy” that caught both Congress and American officials by surprise. The California representative, who is leading a five-member Congressional delegation to India, expressed concerns about the executive order announced on September 19, 2025.

Policy Could Backfire on American Tech Companies

Bera warned that the massive fee increase could have unintended consequences for the US economy. “I think this is going to hurt American tech companies, and in fact, it may have the opposite effect,” he stated during an interview in New Delhi. The congressman suggested that instead of creating American jobs, tech companies might expand their operations in Indian cities like Hyderabad or Bangalore to avoid the hefty fees.

The new policy particularly impacts Indian professionals, who currently receive about 71% of all H-1B visas. Bera, an Indian-American politician representing California’s 6th Congressional District since 2013, argued that much lower fees of $1,000 to $4,000 would have been more appropriate.

Strained US-India Relations Hit New Low

The H-1B controversy adds to mounting tensions in US-India relations. Bera acknowledged that current ties represent “probably a low point” in his 12 years in Congress, citing multiple issues including 50% tariffs on Indian goods, visa restrictions, and sanctions threats over Iran’s Chabahar port project.

During his delegation’s visit to Delhi and Mumbai, Bera plans to discuss these concerns with Indian government officials and relay feedback to Washington. The visit coincides with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s trip to the US for crucial trade negotiations aimed at repairing the strained bilateral relationship.