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Woman left alone in Rome as boyfriend races to US after Trump announces $100,000 H-1B visa fee. Video
A woman’s Rome trip was cut short after Trump introduced a $100,000 H-1B fee, forcing her boyfriend to rush back to the US before the rule took effect.
A woman holidaying in Rome shared her shock after United States President Donald Trump announced a one-time fee of $100,000 for all new H-1B visa applications. The announcement triggered confusion among foreign workers and their families, many of whom scrambled to return to the US before the rule took effect.
(Also read: Amid H-1B visa fee news, Trump's old promise to give green cards to college graduates goes viral)
The woman, whose Instagram username reads as “@lifeofrgr”, posted a video describing how her boyfriend had to abruptly leave their Italian pasta-making class in Rome.
“Crazy turn of events”
In the video, she could be heard saying: “Um, crazy turn of events. My boyfriend had to get up out of our Italian pasta making class in Rome. Um, leave. I kid you not, leave. Not the class. Leave Rome. Because of the whole H1B $100,000 visa situation that's going to affect Saturday at midnight. And it's literally Saturday, midday in Rome right now. So we have to be on the next flight back to make it in time. Um, and so, now I'm here solo. But, he booked the next flight to anywhere near US he could find, which is crazy. Um, it'll be fine. Italian vacations can happen again, like, not stressed. But it does make me wonder about, number one, people that can't just drop off their hat, buy a ticket back. Or number two, too far away in a different country to make it back in time. Who just like had their entire world flipped upside down overnight. Because it came into effect and happened so quickly. There's a time to live it. Anyways, I'm gonna go shopping. I think I deserve it.”
Take a look here at the video:
White House clarifies confusion
President Trump signed a proclamation introducing the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, sparking immediate concerns among existing and aspiring visa holders. Indians, who account for more than 70 per cent of H-1B recipients, were especially alarmed.
Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick initially indicated the fee could become an annual charge, saying that the details were “still being considered.”
Later in the day, the White House issued a clarification. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on X: “This is not an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.”
Exemptions possible
According to a White House fact sheet, applications may be considered without the $100,000 payment if they are deemed to be in the national interest.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
