The U.S. government’s recent decision to impose a hefty $100,000 fee for H-1B visas has been sharply criticized as a “poorly thought-through policy” by Indian-American Democrat lawmaker Ami Bera. He revealed that both the U.S. Congress and American officials were caught off guard by President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement on September 19, 2025.
Bera, currently leading a five-member U.S. Congressional delegation on a week-long visit to Delhi and Mumbai, confirmed he would raise these concerns during his meetings with officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Commerce Ministry, as well as with local business and industry leaders.
This high-level visit coincides with a critical period for U.S.-India relations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal are also heading to the U.S. this week for talks aimed at mending strained ties and resuming stalled trade negotiations.
During an interview with The Hindu, Bera expressed hope that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also visit the U.S. for direct discussions with President Trump to advance the bilateral relationship. While Indian officials haven’t confirmed Modi’s travel plans, Bera indicated that “all indications” in Washington point to Trump’s attendance at the Quad Leader’s Summit later this year in India.
(A related video discussing policy implications was also featured)
(A tweet from Press Trust of India quoted Ami Bera’s stance on the H-1B visa fee)
‘May have opposite effect’
Bera elaborated on his disapproval of the new visa fee, stating, “I think this was a poorly thought through policy… Much lower fees of $1,000 to $4,000 were much more appropriate.” He argued that the $100,000 fee, imposed on U.S. companies employing non-Americans via H-1B visas, would disproportionately affect Indians, who currently receive about 71% of these visas.
“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’,” explained Bera, a seasoned Indian-American politician representing California’s 6th Congressional District since 2013 and a member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Strained ties
The Modi government’s invitation to Bera’s delegation is a strategic move to engage American lawmakers amidst a series of challenges impacting the India-U.S. relationship. Recent months have seen tensions rise due to several U.S. policy decisions, including:
- President Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods.
- Penalties on India’s import of Russian oil and threats of 100% tariffs on all BRICS members.
- Trump’s contentious claims of mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire, which India has denied.
- The U.S.’s handling of Indian deportees and a broader crackdown on visa issuance and student visa cancellations.
- The recent announcement of sanctions targeting entities involved in Iran’s Chabahar port project.
Furthermore, U.S. Congressmen aligned with President Trump have proposed several legislative actions, such as “500% tariffs” on countries purchasing Russian oil and the India Shrimp Act, which seeks to levy an additional 10% to 40% tariff on Indian shrimp exports to the U.S.
Bera candidly admitted, “Certainly in the 12 years that I’ve been in Congress, this is probably a low point.” However, he stressed that despite these challenges, U.S. Congress members universally “recognise the importance of the India relationship.”
Racism in the MAGA-verse
Expressing his surprise at the deterioration of ties, Bera urged both lawmakers and industry leaders to voice their concerns directly to President Trump about policies, like the H-1B visa fee, that are detrimental to the bilateral relationship. He suggested that much of the blame lies with Trump’s advisors, such as White House Trade Counsellor Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who lack prior administration experience. He also highlighted that the administration has already had to reverse some of the measures announced just a day prior.
Bera also touched upon the issue of racism within the “MAGA-verse” (Trump supporters), clarifying that this sentiment is not reflective of the majority of Americans. “I don’t know that it’s just targeted against Indian Americans, because you see it in targeting of other ethnic minorities as well,” he observed. He concluded by emphasizing the shared long-term vision: “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.”
(Another video further explaining policy details was included)