H-1B fee hike “not smart idea for US economy,” says BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Kerala state president, slammed US President Donald Trump’s new executive order on Sunday. The order hikes H-1B visa sponsorship fees to a steep $100,000 for companies. Chandrasekhar called it a bad move that could hurt America’s own tech scene.
Speaking to in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Chandrasekhar highlighted how India’s innovation ecosystem has boomed. It’s bigger and stronger now, so it doesn’t rely solely on US job opportunities anymore. “I don’t think this is a smart idea for the American economy, but that’s their call,” he said. “For India, our tech and innovation world is at a level where H-1B visa changes won’t shake us up.”
He pointed to a recent statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which stressed how talent mobility fuels global innovation. Chandrasekhar explained that tech today crosses borders easily. Both the US and Indian ecosystems thrive because companies can tap skilled workers from anywhere, including India. Blocking that flow? It could weaken US competitiveness in the long run.
Chandrasekhar knows this firsthand—he once worked in the US on an H-1B visa. “I benefited from it years ago,” he shared. “America’s tech industry leans heavily on Indian talent. Restricting it isn’t good for them.”
He predicted the US would soon see the need for more cross-border teamwork in tech. After all, future breakthroughs demand global collaboration.
The policy, effective September 21, adds a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. It’s aimed at curbing the influx of foreign skilled workers, many from India. At first, the news sparked panic among Indian professionals in the US. Immigration experts urged H-1B holders and their families abroad to rush back within 24 hours to dodge travel bans.
But the White House quickly cleared things up: The fee hits only fresh applications, not renewals or current visa holders. That eased worries for those already in the program.
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