$3,800 Flights and Aborted Takeoffs: How Trump’s H-1B Announcement Panicked Tech Workers

On April 22, 2020, President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of immigration to the United States, including the H-1B visa program.

The H-1B visa program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations such as technology, engineering, and science.

This announcement sent shockwaves through the tech industry, with tech workers frantically trying to figure out what it meant for their jobs and their futures.

Many tech workers who were in the process of obtaining H-1B visas or renewing their existing visas found themselves in limbo, unsure if they would be able to continue working in the US.

Some tech workers even reported having to pay exorbitant fees for last-minute flights to return to their home countries, as they feared being stuck in the US without a valid visa.

Companies that rely heavily on foreign tech workers were left scrambling to find alternative solutions to fill critical roles in their organizations.

The uncertainty created by Trump’s announcement also led to a number of aborted takeoffs, with tech workers deciding at the last minute to cancel their plans to return to the US.

Ultimately, Trump’s decision to suspend the H-1B visa program left many tech workers feeling anxious and insecure about their future in the US.

As the tech industry continues to navigate the challenges posed by this announcement, one thing remains clear: the impact of Trump’s decision will be felt for years to come.