Visa Rules By Trump Shatter American Dream For Indians

The American dream has grown more distant for thousands of Indian professionals after the United States under President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping changes to its H-1B visa programme.

The revised rules, announced this week, impose a one-time fee of $100,000 on applicants seeking the coveted work permit, which allows skilled foreign workers to take up specialised roles in the US for an initial period of three years, extendable to six.

The change has triggered alarm in India, where citizens account for nearly three-quarters of the 85,000 H-1B visas issued annually. For many students and young professionals, the new cost barrier could derail years of planning to study, work, and settle in the United States.

Industry leaders and academic experts warned that the policy may not only discourage individual applicants but also deter American companies, particularly in the technology sector, from hiring foreign talent. Smaller firms that rely on Indian engineers and programmers may struggle to absorb the higher costs.

Students and workers are already looking to alternative destinations such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, which are positioning themselves as more affordable hubs for global talent.

Analysts say the move reflects President Trump’s broader strategy of tightening immigration, but caution that it risks undermining the US’s long-standing reputation as the top destination for skilled workers.

For now, uncertainty looms large among thousands of Indian families who had hoped to pursue opportunities in America — their aspirations caught in the crossfire of politics and policy.