India, Sept. 29 -- US President Donald Trump's proclamation last Friday upended the global mobility equation for skilled workers. Effective September 21, 2025, the US now mandates a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications-not for renewals or existing holders-dramatically increasing hiring costs overnight for American employers, especially those relying on skilled Indian IT professionals. The announcement sent waves of confusion and panic through immigrant communities, sparking frantic returns and deeply affecting the Indian tech diaspora.

The Indian government wasted no time in voicing its concerns, warning that this abrupt hike could disrupt vital services exports and remittance flows, which have long bolstered India's econ...