President Trump's executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications caused immediate chaos. Dozens of H-1B visa holders disembarked an India-bound flight in San Francisco after the announcement. Tech companies scrambled to warn employees abroad to return, fearing entry denial. While the White House later clarified the fee applies only to new petitions, not renewals, the incident highlighted the program's contentiousness and potential impact on the tech industry, particularly startups. The order aims to curb perceived abuse of the H-1B system, but critics argue it could drive jobs overseas and face legal challenges.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.