Trump Raises H-1B Visa Fee To $100,000; Rahul Gandhi Calls Modi A Weak PM

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a proclamation sharply increasing the annual fee for H-1B visas to an unprecedented $100,000. The move, aimed at tightening immigration rules, is expected to hit Indian professionals the hardest, since India accounts for 71% of all H-1B visa holders.

The announcement drew immediate political reactions in India, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launching a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing a news report on X, Gandhi wrote, "I repeat, India has a weak PM."

According to an analysis by the Hindustan Times, Trump's decision effectively dismantles the H-1B programme. The new $100,000 visa fee is higher than the median annual salary of fresh H-1B visa holders and exceeds 80% of the average annual salary of all existing holders.

Congress Leaders Target Modi Over H-1B Blow

Other senior Congress leaders also criticized Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of being unable to safeguard India's interests in the wake of Trump's move.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, posted on X: "With the recent decision on H1-B visas the American government has hit at the future of the best and brightest minds from India. I still remember the boldness of former PM Manmohan Singh when one IFS lady diplomat was insulted in the US. Now PM Modi's preference for strategic silence and loud optics has become a liability for the national interest of India and her citizens."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the Modi government, drawing a connection between Trump's announcement and Modi's birthday call with the U.S. President. "Indians are often pained by the return gifts they receive after a birthday call. Birthday Return Gifts from your 'Abki Baar, Trump Sarkar' Govt! $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas hits Indian tech workers the hardest. 70% of H-1B visa holders are Indians," Kharge wrote.

Pawan Khera, another Congress leader, linked the development to a long-standing critique of Modi's leadership. On X, he wrote: "8 years later, Rahul Gandhi is vindicated yet again. He called it out back in 2017 and nothing has changed. India is still stuck with a weak Prime Minister."