U.S. Democrat lawmaker Ami Bera didn’t hold back, calling the U.S. government’s recently announced $100,000 H-1B visa fee a “poorly thought through policy.” He noted that both the U.S. Congress and American officials were caught off guard by President Donald Trump’s decision, which was revealed on Friday, September 19, 2025.
As a member of a five-person U.S. Congressional delegation, Mr. Bera is currently on a week-long visit to Delhi and Mumbai, hosted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. He stated that he plans to bring up the visa fee issue during his meetings and convey the concerns he hears back to Washington. The delegation is scheduled to meet with officials from India’s External Affairs and Commerce Ministries, alongside key business and industry leaders.
This visit by the U.S. Congressional delegation to India is particularly timely. It coincides with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal traveling to the U.S. for discussions aimed at mending the relationship and finalizing trade negotiations that have been stalled for several weeks.
In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Bera voiced his hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the U.S. for a direct meeting with Mr. Trump to advance their bilateral relationship. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet confirmed any such travel plans for Mr. Modi. Mr. Bera also mentioned that in Washington, “all indications” point towards Mr. Trump attending the Quad Leader’s Summit in India later this year.
‘Potential for Adverse Outcomes’
When questioned about President Trump’s executive order imposing a hefty $100,000 fee per H-1B visa on U.S. companies hiring non-Americans, Mr. Bera remarked, “I think this was a poorly thought through policy… Much lower fees of $1,000 to $4,000 were much more appropriate.” With approximately 71% of H-1B visas currently issued to Indian professionals, this new regulation is expected to disproportionately affect them.
Mr. Bera, an Indian-American politician who has served California’s 6th Congressional District since 2013 and is a member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned that the new policy could inadvertently harm American tech firms. He explained, “I think this is going to hurt American tech companies, and in fact, it may have the opposite effect — instead of creating American jobs, a tech company might say, ‘Let me just expand my presence in Hyderabad or Bangalore’.”
Deteriorating Diplomatic Relations
The Modi government’s invitation to Mr. Bera’s delegation is seen as an effort to engage with American lawmakers amid numerous challenges impacting the India-U.S. relationship. Recent months have witnessed significant strain across various sectors. These include President Trump’s implementation of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, imposing penalties on India’s Russian oil imports, and threats of 100% tariffs on all BRICS members. Additionally, there’s been his repeated claim of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, which India has refuted, alongside the U.S.’s handling of Indian deportees, stricter visa regulations, the cancellation of student visas, and looming sanctions for involvement in Iran’s Chabahar port project.
Furthermore, certain U.S. Congressmen aligned with the President have proposed new legislation, including “500% tariffs” on nations importing Russian oil or engaging economically with Russia, and the India Shrimp Act, which seeks to impose an additional 10% to 40% tariffs on Indian shrimp exports to the U.S. “Certainly in the 12 years that I’ve been in Congress, this is probably a low point,” Mr. Bera admitted, while emphasizing that U.S. Congress members universally “recognise the importance of the India relationship.”
Addressing the “MAGA-verse” and Strained Relations
Puzzled by the decline in diplomatic ties, Mr. Bera urged both legislators and industry figures to actively communicate their concerns to the U.S. President regarding policies, such as the H-1B visa fee, that are detrimental to the relationship. He suggested that much of the responsibility lies with President Trump’s advisors, specifically White House Trade Counsellor Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, neither of whom had previous administrative experience. He also pointed out that some of the measures unveiled on Friday had already required reconsideration by the administration.
Mr. Bera also highlighted the presence of racism within the “MAGA-verse,” referring to some of President Trump’s supporters, but clarified that this sentiment doesn’t reflect the majority of Americans. He elaborated, “I don’t know that it’s just targeted against Indian Americans, because you see it in targeting of other ethnic minorities as well. In the long term 21st Century, we all desire for our children, our grandchildren, peace and prosperity. I would say all of us see India as a major part of this strategy.”