Mon Sep 22 17:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The White House announced a new rule requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants starting September 21, 2025, causing widespread panic and confusion. The administration has since clarified that the fee applies only to *new* applicants entering the February lottery from outside the US, not current H-1B holders or those who participated in the 2025 lottery. Legal challenges are expected due to concerns about the President’s authority to impose such a fee. Immigration attorneys are advising current H-1B holders in the US to remain in the country and explore alternative visa options. The announcement has sparked criticism from legal professionals, immigration advocates, and those potentially impacted, who warn of economic consequences and the hindering of skilled workers vital to various sectors, including healthcare.

**News Article:**

**H-1B Visa Fee Sparks Chaos, Legal Challenges Loom**

**Washington D.C. -** A White House proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applicants, set to take effect on September 21, 2025, has triggered widespread confusion and panic within the immigrant community, particularly among those of Indian descent.

The announcement, initially interpreted as affecting all H-1B holders, prompted a wave of urgent inquiries to immigration attorneys and a scramble for flights back to the US. The White House has since clarified that the fee applies only to *new* H-1B applicants who are participating in the February lottery from outside the US. Those who participated in the 2025 lottery and those currently holding H-1B visas are exempt. The fee is reported to be in addition to the current fees for H-1B visa applications.

Despite the clarification, concerns remain. Legal experts predict immediate court challenges. “The president has literally zero legal authority to impose a $100,000 fee on visas,” stated Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. Immigration Attorney Ashima Duggal echoed this sentiment, predicting a swift restraining order and advising those seeking to remain in the US to consider alternative visa options.

The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America held an emergency webinar to address the situation and advise H-1B holders in the US to avoid leaving the country.

Critics argue the proclamation will harm the US economy and hinder the influx of vital skilled workers. Kalpana V. Peddibhotla, Executive Director of South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO), highlighted the contributions of H-1B visa holders in healthcare, research, and innovation. Mukesh Advani, Litigation Attorney, called the move “one of the stupidest” and a “self-inflicted wound on America.”

Dr. Sahana Devakumar, an Internal Medicine Resident at SUNY Upstate University Hospital in New York, expressed concern about the impact on doctors, particularly those serving in underserved areas. The proclamation includes a “national interest” exemption, but details on its application remain unclear.

The situation continues to evolve, and those affected are urged to seek legal counsel and monitor further developments.

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