Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has strongly criticized the recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a steep $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications. Reddy termed the move "totally unacceptable" in light of the historical relationship between India and the United States. He voiced concerns about the "unimaginable" suffering that Telugu IT professionals would face as a result of this decision.

Reddy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to address the issue urgently and proactively. He called for the Indian government to immediately establish a mechanism to resolve the issue amicably, keeping in mind the interests of the Indian tech workers who have contributed to the American economy for many years. Reddy conveyed his concerns via a post on X, emphasizing the need for swift action to protect the interests of Indian tech professionals.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also responded to the situation. An official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that the government has taken note of the reports regarding the proposed restrictions on the H-1B visa program in the U.S.. Jaiswal indicated that the fee hike is likely to have humanitarian consequences due to the potential disruption for families. The MEA expressed hope that these disruptions would be addressed appropriately by U.S. authorities. The MEA also noted that the industry in both India and the U.S. has a shared interest in innovation and creativity and can be expected to consult on the best way forward.

Telangana's IT and Industries Minister, D. Sridhar Babu, has also criticized the central government's perceived silence on the matter. He questioned why the Union government has not yet responded to President Trump's decision, especially considering that India is the largest recipient of H-1B visas globally. Sridhar Babu further pointed out that the central government had failed to secure exemptions for current H-1B visa holders already residing in the U.S. He highlighted the potential impact on Telangana, given that many IT companies in the state have headquarters in the U.S. Sridhar Babu has urged the Modi administration to secure relief for Indian techies and their families.

Some have suggested that the Trump administration's decision to hike H1B visa fee could be used for India's advantage. It could discourage people from working in America. Since India has the capacity to produce technical manpower, this could lead to more opportunities within India.