New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on the H-1B employment visas that are most sought after by highly skilled immigrants has shocked the global education and talent industry. And for thousands of Indian students, like millions worldwide, the American dream may be fading.

Apart from the tech industry, Indian students-particularly those from top colleges-are likely to face an immediate setback. Many of them had secured pre-placement offers with US-based firms and were set to begin their full-time roles in 2026. Along with proposals to restrict work options for students and mandate minimum salary thresholds, these changes may also deter other students from considering US universities and colleges.

"I was so excited that I di...