Thread by @atalovesyou

🧵 URGENT:

Current H-1B holders could be TRAPPED outside the US starting Sept 21st

1/15

If you're on H-1B and planning international travel, STOP.

Read this thread.

The new proclamation doesn't just affect future H-1B workers - it could prevent YOU from returning to the US after visa stamping abroad.

2/15

THE TRAP:

The proclamation blocks "entry into the United States" for H-1B workers whose petitions lack a $100K payment.

Your original petition didn't have this fee.

If you travel abroad for stamping, you might not be allowed back in.

3/15

REAL POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:

Got H-1B extension? Need stamping? Could be denied entry
Job transfer approved? Travel for stamping? Might get stuck
Visa expired but valid I-797? Leave US = potential lockout

4/15

WHO'S AT RISK (hundreds of thousands of people):

- H-1B holders with expired visa stamps
- Anyone who needs to travel for family emergencies
- Workers with job changes requiring consular processing
- People with approved extensions needing stamps

5/15

WHAT THE LAW SAYS:

"Entry into the United States of aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in a specialty occupation... is restricted, except for those aliens whose petitions are accompanied... by a payment of $100,000"

6/15

THE GRAY AREA:
Can employers pay $100K retroactively to "supplement" existing petitions?
Do approved petitions need new $100K fees for stamping?
Will consulates interpret this literally?
Nobody knows yet.

7/15

CORPORATE PANIC MODE:

Companies are now facing impossible choices:
- Cancel all employee international travel
- Pay $100K for each traveling employee

Risk losing workforce permanently
Halt global operations

8/15

HUMAN COST:

Imagine being unable to visit dying relatives, attend weddings, or handle family emergencies because you might not be allowed back into the country where you live and work.

9/15

WHAT LAWYERS ARE SAYING:

Immigration attorneys are advising clients to avoid ALL international travel until clarity emerges.

Some are calling this an "accidental deportation mechanism."

10/15

IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS:
Cancel non-essential international travel NOW
Contact immigration team if travel is urgent
Ask employer about paying $100K supplement
Document everything for potential legal challenges

11/15

GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS: This affects:

- 583,000+ current H-1B holders
- Multinational companies with US operations
- Families separated across borders

US competitiveness for global talent

12/15
TIMELINE CRUNCH:

Sept 19: Proclamation signed
Sept 21: Takes effect (48 hours!)
No implementation guidance released yet
Consulates left to interpret on their own

13/15
WHY THIS MATTERS:

This isn't just immigration policy - it's economic policy that could:

- Strand key workers outside the US
- Disrupt critical business operations
- Create massive legal uncertainty
- Affect hundreds of thousands of families

14/15

SPREAD THE WORD:
Current H-1B holders may not know about this risk.

Share this thread. Tag people who need to know.

15/15
BOTTOM LINE:

We're 48 hours away from a policy that could accidentally trap hundreds of thousands of legal workers outside the US.

If you're affected, act NOW.

This is not a drill.

#H1B #Immigration2025