“We’re Okay with Legal Immigration!”

iluvatar5150 · Sep 20, 2025

Big Tech and finance companies are telling H-1B employees to get to the US in under 24 hours

Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Meta employees on H-1B visas were told to stay put, per employees and communications reviewed by Business Insider.

www.businessinsider.com

Employees at major tech and financial companies on H-1B visas were told to stay in the US following President Donald Trump's surprise executive order that makes it far more expensive — and potentially impossible — for them to return if they travel abroad.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal. The order, which takes effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET, effectively bars H-1B workers from reentering the country after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays the fee.

The proclamation:

Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers into the United

www.whitehouse.gov

Fantine · Sep 20, 2025

The last company my husband worked for (in IT management) before retiring had consulting contracts with an Indian company, and had dozens of Indian employees on HB-1 visas. I'm sure it was a money-saving move--the last company he worked for before retiring was very focused on keeping costs down, unlike the ones where he spent most of his career.

TBT, I'm not sure how necessary it was for the company to contract with the Indian consulting firm. We do live in a state, where we moved after a late-career layoff, which has fewer college graduates and lower educational demographics, but our small city has a state university, a community college 30 miles away, the flagship university 60 miles away--and now a medical school and health sciences school for PA's, PT's, and OT's.

bèlla · Sep 20, 2025

Fantine said:
TBT, I'm not sure how necessary it was for the company to contract with the Indian consulting firm.

Getting the same for less is the rule. That’s why the jobs are going elsewhere. I remember a documentary about India’s growth and they featured a company that was a calling center. All of the employees had degrees and competed for the jobs. The pay was $25K which was very low for comparable work over here at the time. When the internet took off the same occurred and most companies looked overseas. The exchange rate was favorable and their dollar went further.

While I understand the practice I don’t agree with it morally. I believe the laborer is worthy of his wages and I don’t want to take advantage of anyone. If the position pays X dollars that’s what it is across the board. I won’t underpay a foreigner or hire them to get around our laws.

~bella

wing2000 · Sep 20, 2025

iluvatar5150 said:
Big Tech and finance companies are telling H-1B employees to get to the US in under 24 hours

Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Meta employees on H-1B visas were told to stay put, per employees and communications reviewed by Business Insider.

www.businessinsider.com

Employees at major tech and financial companies on H-1B visas were told to stay in the US following President Donald Trump's surprise executive order that makes it far more expensive — and potentially impossible — for them to return if they travel abroad.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal. The order, which takes effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET, effectively bars H-1B workers from reentering the country after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays the fee.

The proclamation:

Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers into the United

www.whitehouse.gov

The White House claims the $100k fee will only apply to new HB1 applicants.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/us/politics/trump-h-1b-visas-fee.html

iluvatar5150 · Sep 20, 2025

wing2000 said:
The White House claims the $100k fee will only apply to new HB1 applicants.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/us/politics/trump-h-1b-visas-fee.html

Woulda been nice if they'd made that clear initially.

Richard T · Sep 20, 2025

iluvatar5150 said:
Big Tech and finance companies are telling H-1B employees to get to the US in under 24 hours

Amazon, Microsoft, JPMorgan, and Meta employees on H-1B visas were told to stay put, per employees and communications reviewed by Business Insider.

www.businessinsider.com

Employees at major tech and financial companies on H-1B visas were told to stay in the US following President Donald Trump's surprise executive order that makes it far more expensive — and potentially impossible — for them to return if they travel abroad.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each H-1B application or renewal. The order, which takes effect on September 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET, effectively bars H-1B workers from reentering the country after that deadline unless their sponsoring employer pays the fee.

The proclamation:

Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers into the United

www.whitehouse.gov

I think the Ex post facto (?) rule would apply to those that already have a valid visa so I am glad it was made clear that it is new visa folks. Would be kind of difficult and expensive to have to return from overseas in a day to make the deadline.

iluvatar5150 · Sep 20, 2025

Richard T said:
I think the Ex post facto (?) rule would apply to those that already have a valid visa so I am glad it was made clear that it is new visa folks. Would be kind of difficult and expensive to have to return from overseas in a day to make the deadline.

Would you trust the administration to not try to violate that rule?

Richard T · Sep 20, 2025

iluvatar5150 said:
Would you trust the administration to not try to violate that rule?

No but one could sue to get the money back. I admit a visa can be revoked but I do not think they can change the terms to 100k just at the stroke of a pen in the middle of a multi-entry visa. Perhaps I am naive though. Trump will have his days in court. Must be 100 plus lawsuits working their way around.

iluvatar5150 · Sep 20, 2025

Richard T said:
No but one could sue to get the money back. I admit a visa can be revoked but I do not think they can change the terms to 100k just at the stroke of a pen in the middle of a multi-entry visa. Perhaps I am naive though. Trump will have his days in court. Must be 100 plus lawsuits working their way around.

In this situation, I'm far less concerned about the giant tech company getting strong-armed into ponying up a few million dollars at the drop of a hat than I am the perfectly innocent people potentially stranded in another country with no notice for no reason other than Trump's fickle policy whims.

Fantine · Sep 20, 2025

What about spouses and families? Can they still come? Years ago we were friendly with a couple from England. He was a computer whiz on a work visa. His wife wanted to work but was unable to take a paying job, but she did volunteer work. I think that if workers had to leave behind their spouses and children moving to the United States for two years would be a much harder sell.

Aryeh Jay · Sep 20, 2025

I am happy to see the Trump administration crack down on visas. For too long people have been coming here on questionable visas and overstaying them and working illegally. It's about time.

“We’re Okay with Legal Immigration!”

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