Vembu’s message follows an executive order by the White House requiring employers to pay $100,000 for every new H-1B petition. Current visa holders and those renewing existing H-1Bs are exempt from this fee. The rule takes effect at midnight EDT on September 21, 2025.
India will be particularly exposed, given that individuals born in India accounted for over 70% of approved H-1B visa holders in fiscal 2024. The country’s IT body Nasscom warned that the fee could severely disrupt onshore projects and operations of Indian tech firms, especially due to the abrupt nature of the policy.
The United States clarified that the new fee applies only to new visa applications and not to renewals or to those already holding H-1B status. Major tech companies including Amazon and Microsoft have instructed employees with H-1B or H-4 visas who are currently abroad to return to the U. S. before the fee takes effect to avoid complications at the border.
Vembu’s own experience was cited in his appeal. He referenced stories from families displaced during Partition, particularly among Sindhis, who rebuilt lives in India from scratch. He likened the present moment to one of those transformative times. While many netizens found his call inspiring, some pushed back, pointing out practical difficulties—such as finances, career disruptions, and whether systems in India could support those returning.
Analysts believe that this policy move could shift the balance of global tech talent flows. With high costs for U. S. employers sponsoring new H-1B employees, there may be acceleration in offshoring work, increased hiring in India, and potentially new models of remote work to bypass visa constraints. Stocks of major Indian IT firms experienced a drop, with American Depositary Receipts of Infosys and Wipro falling by up to 4% amid investor concern.