US's visa executive order leaves families stranded, torn apart

BENGALURU/HYDERABAD: A stroke of Trump's pen, a $100,000 visa fee. Panic across India's tech corridors, heartbreak inside homes, and suitcases lying unpacked as travel plans collapse overnight.Indians make up more than 70% of H-1B holders, and confusion now grips those stuck abroad or preparing for visa stamping appointments. "I've been in the US for a decade now after completing my MSc. I work at a firm in Chicago and came to India with barely one suitcase for two weeks. My visa stamping is scheduled at the Hyderabad consulate on Sept 22. My wife and child are in the US while I am stuck here," said a professional from Mumbai."I cannot fly back by Sept 21, as my appointment is on Sept 22. No employer is going to pay one lakh dollars regardless of one's contributions. I'm unsure if my visa will even be stamped," he said.Another engineer in Los Angeles, who planned a Nov stamping in Hyderabad, said her company warned her not to travel. "They told me not to risk it. It's hard because I haven't seen my parents in two years, but I can't jeopardise my career," she added.

A 38-year-old with a Dec appointment said his multinational's legal team was preparing to challenge the rule in court. Immigration consultant Ankit Jain said his firm had received "dozens of panic calls since morning". He added: "We are asking those in the US to stay put, and those in India to wait for clarity. Companies will act."The impact is massive - of the 3.9 lakh H-1B visas approved in 2024, 71% went to Indians, followed by 11.7% to Chinese.

If the US shuts its doors, talent and projects may shift to India, boosting its start-up ecosystem, experts predicted.Yet behind the statistics, heartstring-heavy stories have emerged. Of families watching reunions collapse. Bengaluru resident and retired PSU employee, Raghunandan Murthy, said his son cancelled plans to attend his grandfather's funeral. "My father passed away Friday. My son chose to fly down to pay respects to his 'thata', but had to cancel.

One stroke of Trump's pen has disrupted everything," he added.Shreya Iyer was counting down to her graduation with her brother. "He promised to come. Now he says it's impossible. Families are treated as collateral damage." For elders, the policy feels cruel. "I am too weak to travel abroad, and if my son cannot come here, I may never see him again," said Lakshmi Narayanan, 72.Another woman said her daughter hasn't been home in three years. "She finally got her H-1B visa. She thought of coming home, but this rule makes it impossible. She missed her grandmother's funeral. Now her grandfather is very ill. She may never see him again. If she quits and comes back, she may never return to the States. All the money and her hard work may go to waste."A parent summed it up: "This isn't just about jobs or fees, it's about families torn apart overnight. Cost is more than money. It is emotional."