Highlights:
- Trump administration raises H-1B visa fees from $5,000 to $100,000
- New US social media vetting policy heightens visa scrutiny
- Employers withdraw H-1B support amid rising compliance risks
- Indian-American influencer faces backlash over pro-MAGA immigration stance
- Online debate highlights growing divide over immigration and identity
President Donald Trump’s aggressive overhaul of the H-1B visa program is reshaping the lives of immigrant workers and US employers alike, creating what many describe as an atmosphere of insecurity, fear, and deepening division, both in workplaces and across social media.
In September 2025, the Trump administration raised H-1B visa fees dramatically, increasing costs from $5,000 to $100,000 per application. The move, framed as a measure to protect American workers, has placed heavy financial pressure on employers that rely on skilled foreign labor, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors.
The uncertainty intensified further in December. Beginning December 15, 2025, the US State Department introduced an “online presence review” for visa applicants and their dependents, requiring social media accounts to be set to “public” as part of the screening process. Immigration attorneys say the policy has slowed processing times and increased anxiety among visa holders, who now fear that online activity could jeopardize their legal status.
As compliance costs and scrutiny rise, many employers have begun withdrawing H-1B sponsorships altogether. This has left affected workers scrambling to secure alternative employment within tight deadlines to avoid losing legal status and facing possible deportation. Industry observers warn that the trend could disrupt businesses while forcing skilled professionals into sudden job transitions.
The policies have also sharpened tensions between American citizens and immigrant workers, with social media emerging as a battleground. That divide was underscored this week after Indian-American influencer Priya Patel drew widespread criticism for a viral post on X.
Patel, a self-described MAGA supporter with more than 29,000 followers, posted on December 23, 2025, “All I want is an America for Americans… Is that too much to ask?” The post quickly went viral, drawing more than 440,000 views and sparking thousands of reactions.
Critics were quick to call out what they viewed as hypocrisy, noting Patel’s Indian heritage and immigrant background. “Who decides who is an American? A Patel?” one user asked. Another commenter wrote, “Priya, you’re a Patel. By your own standard, how are you American? Last I checked, every Indian in the U.S. got here through immigration. Is that too much to ask you to understand?”
Others were more blunt. “You are getting deported back to India after Christmas. Holidays are over sweetie. No more excuses,” one user wrote, while another commented, “Reviewing the responses to your tweet here, I don’t think the party you’ve chosen to align with appreciates your contributions to their political movement tbh.”
X
Patel’s remarks are consistent with her past statements. In earlier posts and videos, she argued that some cultures should be restricted from entering the United States, saying, “Not all cultures are equal. There, I said it. Guess what? All people are created equal under the eyes of God and the law, but not all cultures are equal. This is a simple fact.”
She has claimed that high levels of immigration lead to insular communities that fail to integrate into American society and has made sweeping assertions about practices in developing countries.
While Patel’s citizenship status remains unclear, critics argue her rhetoric reflects a broader effort by some immigrant voices to align with hardline immigration politics. Analysts say the episode illustrates how Trump-era immigration policies have not only altered visa systems but also intensified cultural and political fault lines in the national conversation.
