Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s controversial move to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, calling it a decision rooted in domestic politics rather than economic logic.
With effect from September 21, 2025, all new H-1B applicants are required to pay this staggering fee — a policy shift that threatens to reshape the landscape for Indian IT professionals, who constitute over 70% of H-1B visa holders in the US.
Why the Fee Hike?
Trump signed the proclamation citing “abuse” of the H-1B visa program and claimed it posed a threat to national security. His administration argues that American jobs are being undercut by foreign workers, particularly from India, who often accept salaries lower than their US counterparts.
“An Indian techie who comes and works for sixty thousand dollars a year is taking away, according to Trump’s supporters, jobs from an American who would not work for less than eighty-five or ninety thousand dollars a year,” Tharoor explained in an interview with ANI.
Tharoor’s Criticism
Tharoor said the move is not about economics but politics, crafted to strengthen Trump’s standing with his MAGA (Make America Great Again) voter base, known for its anti-immigration stance.
“The motives are principally driven by domestic politics. Trump believes that the easy H-1B has meant Americans deserving higher salaries are being bypassed by Indians willing to work for less,” Tharoor remarked.
Impact on Indian Professionals
- Cost Barrier: The $100,000 fee makes it unviable for mid-level and entry-level professionals, restricting visas to only the “top-tier, irreplaceable talent.”
- Indian IT hit hardest: With 7 out of 10 H-1B holders being Indian, the policy disproportionately impacts India’s $245 billion IT industry.
- Talent pipeline disrupted: Thousands of fresh graduates and mid-career professionals aiming for opportunities in Silicon Valley may now find the American dream slipping away.
Politics at Play
According to Tharoor, the move reflects the broader anti-immigrant mood in US politics, where visible minorities and skilled migrants are increasingly targeted.
“The dominant political forces of the so-called MAGA movement are very openly anti-immigrants, particularly visible immigrants of a different colour,” he said.
The Larger Picture
- US Industry Concern: American tech giants that rely heavily on Indian talent may face a talent crunch and rising wage bills.
- Indian Diaspora Anxiety: For the 4.5 million-strong Indian-American community, this signals a shrinking window of opportunities for their families and professionals.
- Global Signal: Analysts say the policy sends a strong message that the US is tightening its gates — even for highly skilled migrants.
Interesting Read
Conclusion
While the Trump administration frames the $100,000 H-1B fee as a measure to “protect American workers,” critics like Shashi Tharoor argue it’s a political gambit ahead of elections, designed to appease anti-immigration hardliners. For India’s tech talent — long seen as the backbone of US innovation — the hike could mark the start of a new, tougher era for global mobility.
