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www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know 6 ANALYSIS/ VIEWPOINT October 3, 2025 Trump’s Immigration Curbs Make Indian Students Rethink The American Dream P aridhi Upadhaya was packing her bags after secur- ing a computer science scholarship in the U.S. until headlines of President Donald Trump’s H-1B visa crackdown last week prompted her family in Lucknow, India to scrap the plan. “Trump’s unending onslaught against immigrants is forcing us to consider other destinations for her,” the 18-year-old’s father Rudar Pratap said. Upadhaya is among thousands of Indians for whom the American dream of world-class education, lucra- tive careers, better quality of life and social mobility, is turning sour due to rising U.S. visa restrictions and policy unpredictability. For decades, the H-1B visa has been the gateway to a new life: a chance for young engineers and scientists from India, China and other countries to turn years of study into high-paying jobs and the possibility of perma- nent residency. But last week, Trump said new H-1B visa applica- tions would cost $100,000, up from the roughly $2,000 to $5,000 employers were paying to sponsor workers. Over 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) from Lucknow in Dallas, Texas, an Indian student pursuing a master’s degree in computer science is staring at $80,000 in debt and an uncertain future. “Right now, the only aim is to finish my degree, find an internship, and try to recover my debt,” said the student, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by immigration officials. “I’ll move to Canada or Europe — anywhere that actu- ally wants us.” H-1B VISA: GATEWAY NOW CLOSING? While supporters credit H-1B visas with bringing in vi- tal talent, Trump argues it suppresses wages and sidelines qualified U.S. workers, making it one of the country’s most divisive immigration policies. Some of the high-profile Indians who used the pro- gram include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Google parent Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, all of whom arrived in the U.S. as students. India was by far the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries, while China was a distant second at 11.7%, U.S. govern- ment data showed. The H-1B visa, typically issued for three years and re- newable for another three, has enabled U.S. tech firms to hire millions of skilled foreign workers to fill talent gaps. Foreign students who graduate from U.S. universities often use the Optional Practical Training program to get work experience and then obtain the H-1B. The visa has become the key bridge to long-term employment and, for many, permanent residency – the coveted Green Card. But young Indians are now rethinking their plans to pursue higher studies and careers in the U.S. and scoping other immigrant-friendly destinations, education consul- tants, professors and students told Reuters. “Many students and parents are now in ‘wait and watch’ mode, weighing options like the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand,” said Piyush Kumar of IDP Education. The U.S. hosted 465,000 Indian students in 2023, the most among 1.3 million abroad, followed by Canada, the UK and Australia, Indian government data showed. “Students are asking for a Plan B upfront because return on investment matters,” Patlolla Bharath Reddy, managing partner at Uni Planet Overseas Education, said. Others are urging students to look at the longer term. “We’ve been reassuring them that the order may face legal hurdles and things could change by the time they graduate,” said KP Singh of overseas education consul- tancy IMFS. AS U.S. SHUTS BORDERS, CHINA OPENS DOORS Countries including China, South Korea, UK and Ger- many are actively seeking to redirect foreign talent. Philipp Ackermann, the German ambassador to India, said in a post on X this week that his country’s migra- tion policy is “like a German car – reliable, modern, and predictable”. An Indian computer science student at the University of Minnesota is considering Germany over the U.S. for further studies, citing stable immigration policies, strong demand for skilled workers and affordable, high-quality education. “Someone from a rural background like me is unlikely to be able to afford staying here,” he said. While Germany offers stability, China is aggressively recruiting global talent with new incentives. Beijing has unveiled a new visa category that will allow successful applicants to enter, study, and work in China without having first received a job offer or research posi- tion. On the day Trump signed the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, Chinese cities such as Jinan and Nanjing hosted massive job fairs targeting overseas talent — Jinan featured over 2,000 employers, while Nanjing offered more than 20,000 jobs. “Ultimately, it’s a losing proposition for America,” Dee- pa Ollapally, research professor at GeorgeWashington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, said. -Reuters By Chandini Monnappa, Rishika Sadam and Manoj Kumar PHOTO:REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/ File Photo U.S. and Indian flags and U.S. H-1B Visa application forms are seen in this illustration taken, September 22, 2025. P resident Donald Trump wants to dramatically change a visa program for high-skilled workers, but he faces legal uncertainty and limited options when acting alone. Though everyone knows he is no fan of working with Congress, the extra effort could improve his plans - and make them stick. The H-1B visa program brings 85,000 high-wage, specialized workers to the United States each year. Trump has been inconsistent on legal immigration, and some of his businesses have used visa programs to hire guest workers. Many MAGA allies, however, are unhappy with this system. Immigration restrictionists have long argued that the H-1B program leads to lower wages for high- skilled American workers. This led the administration to announce last week that it would add a $100,000 annual fee for all H-1B visas - up from $215 currently - and change the rules of the lottery that issues visas to prioritize higher-paid workers. In response to backlash from business leaders, theWhite House said it would be a one-time $100,000 charge for new visa holders. Some business leaders are warming to the idea, but beware of big companies that welcome new regulations or taxes. A large fee, the argument goes, would eliminate the need for the lottery, which has long been abused by outsourcing firms that submit petitions and farm out visa winners to other companies. While the higher fee would make it much harder for employers to game the system, it would also primarily benefit established companies able to afford it. That would put scrappy start-ups at an even bigger disadvantage as they try to displace incumbents. And for rural or community hospitals already operating on narrow margins, it could be financially devastating. (The Post employs a number of H-1B holders.) Upending the H-1B program has wider consequences. Anyone seeking evidence of its success need only glance at the C-suites of Silicon Valley. Tech mogul Elon Musk, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Zoom founder Eric Yuan all have held H-1B visas. Such visa holders boost the number of patents issued for new inventions and fill labor shortages in crucial in- dustries such as health care. One study estimates that the program is responsible for 30 to 50 percent of the coun- try’s productivity growth between 1990 and 2010. The government doesn’t need to shut down this economic engine to stop companies from abusing it for the purpose of hiring cheaper IT contractors. There’s another problem: Trump probably doesn’t have the authority to implement the fee on his own. The H-1B system was established by Congress, and lawmakers have not granted the president any power to tax the visas. The executive order draws from a 1952 law that allows the president to “suspend the entry” of any immigrant who is “detrimental to the interests of the United States.” If that feels like a reach, it’s because it is. The president would find a Congress eager to work on this issue. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana), for instance, recently introduced a bill that would similarly raise wage requirements for H-1B holders and replace the visa lot- tery with a bidding system. Does Trump want a quick win that disappears after he leaves office - or a more compre- hensive reform that will last for years to come? -Editorial Board/ TheWashington Post The H-1B Visa Needs Surgery, Not A Sledgehammer PHOTO:Demetrius Freeman/TheWashington Post President Donald Trump at the White House on Sept. 19. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the authors and Parikh Worldwide Media does not officially endorse, and is not responsible or liable for them.