Rahul Gandhi Challenges PM Modi: Impacts of Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Hike on India’s Leadership

Rahul Gandhi’s Critique of Modi Over H-1B Visa Fee Hike

Recently, Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. He reacted to a report about President Trump’s decision to increase the H-1B visa fees for U.S. companies. This move particularly affects Indian workers, who make up a significant portion of H-1B visa holders.

Gandhi expressed his thoughts on the platform X, stating, “I repeat, India has a weak PM,” emphasizing the challenges faced by Indian workers because of this increase.

The H-1B Fee Increase

On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order raising the H-1B visa fee from $4,500 to a staggering $1,000,000 for companies hiring foreign workers. This decision could heavily impact Indian professionals who rely on these visas to work in the U.S.

Notably, a recent report from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed that Indian applicants accounted for 71% of the H-1B visas awarded. In fiscal year 2024, about 207,000 visas were granted to Indian workers, compared to 191,000 the previous year.

Cost Breakdown for H-1B Visa

Alongside the new fee, there are additional costs involved in obtaining an H-1B visa. These include:

• Registration: $215
• Base filing fee: $460
• Anti-fraud fee: $500
• Employer fee: $4,000 (varies by company size)

In 2021, a survey by the National Foundation for American Policy found that more than 90% of H-1B visas went to workers in fields like technology and finance, indicating the high value of these professionals to the U.S. economy.

Wider Implications

The increase in fees may drive companies to reconsider hiring foreign talent, which could lead to shortages in critical industries. Experts argue that such a move may harm the U.S. economy in the long run by making it harder for companies to access skilled labor.

On social media, there’s a growing conversation about this issue. Many users have shared their concerns, fearing that this could push Indian tech talent to other countries like Canada and Australia, where pathways for skilled workers are becoming increasingly attractive.

The H-1B visa policy and its fees are not just a matter of individual companies; they reflect broader economic trends and international relations. The implications of these changes could resonate across industries and borders for years to come.

For more detailed insights, you can read the USCIS report outlining the distribution of H-1B visas in recent years.

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