Return to US immediately or risk getting stranded: immigration attorneys, companies tell H-1B workers

new york/washington: immigration attorneys and companies are cautioning h-1b visa holders against travelling outside the us amid president donald trump's new plan to impose a usd 100,000 fee on work visas, urging employees to return immediately or risk being stranded.trump signed a proclamation on friday restricting entry of nonimmigrants in “speciality occupations” unless their h-1b petitions are accompanied by a usd 100,000 payment. the order takes effect at 12:01 am on september 21, 2025.attorneys and companies are warning h-1b visa holders or their family members currently abroad to return to the us within 24 hours. “h-1b visa holders who are out of the us on business or vacation will get stranded unless they get in before midnight september 21,” said new york-based immigration attorney cyrus mehta. he noted that those in india may have already missed the deadline due to limited flight options.microsoft reportedly emailed its employees on h-1b visas and dependents to avoid travel and remain in the us to “avoid being denied reentry.” dependents on h-4 visas are also advised to stay, although the proclamation does not directly affect them.cato institute director david bier said indian h-1b workers have contributed significantly to the us economy but face systemic discrimination. he added that trump's order unfairly targets this highly productive and law-abiding population.