San Francisco chaos erupts after Trump H-1B visa fee announcement prompts flight exodus

A flight from San Francisco to Dubai was disrupted when dozens of Indian passengers deplaned moments after hearing President Donald Trump announce a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, according to videos captured by travelers at the airport. The Emirates plane, which had been preparing to depart, was briefly halted as passengers began to exit the cabin, many concerned they would be unable to return to the United States without paying the heftier price.

The chaotic moment underscored confusion surrounding the administration’s latest immigration policy. Initially, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the fee would be an annual cost, a statement later contradicted by the White House, which said the fee is a one-time charge for new applicants. Officials have stressed that the policy targets only new H-1B visa applicants and does not affect those who already hold H-1B status, nor does it apply to renewals.

Among those on the flight was Masud Rana, who filmed the scene as passengers began to offload before the door closed for departure. He described the moment as panic on board and said many travelers, convinced they would be unable to re-enter the United States without paying the new fee, chose to exit the aircraft before its scheduled takeoff.

The captain acknowledged the unusual situation over the public-address system, telling passengers that if they wished to leave, they could. He did not describe the policy specifics, but the footage captured the moment a number of travelers moved toward the exit as the crew attempted to manage the disruption.

The broader policy, announced amid a wider immigration crackdown, includes a separate order establishing a new “gold card” program aimed at expediting visas for individuals deemed highly valuable to the United States and willing to make a substantial financial contribution. Officials described the program as being in an implementation phase, with up to 80,000 such cards slated to be made available, subject to company decisions about the value of the individuals they seek to attract.

White House communications quickly tried to clarify the situation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X that those outside the United States who already hold H-1B visas would not be charged $100,000 to re-enter, and that the fee applies only to new applications, not to current visa holders or renewals. The clarification sought to ease worries among travelers and employers who rely on H-1B workers.

The executive order reflects the administration’s broader stance on immigration and the use of work visas. Trump described the policy as a way to ensure that highly skilled workers entering the United States are truly indispensable, while opponents argued the moves could make it harder for U.S. tech companies to recruit talent from abroad and hinder global competitiveness.

Reaction from the tech sector has been complex. Elon Musk, a prominent voice in discussions over the H-1B program and a former H-1B recipient, has publicly supported continuing the visa program and criticized attempts to roll back immigration pathways. In the public sphere, Musk has framed the issue as essential to maintaining American leadership in technology, even as other critics argue that high-skilled immigration should be reformed. In recent public statements and on social media, some comments from Musk have drawn attention for their heated rhetoric, including exchanges with other policymakers and commentators that have since been deleted or disputed.

Vivek Ramaswamy and other critics have framed the policy changes as part of a broader debate over American culture and talent pipelines, while supporters contend the measures help ensure that visa programs attract genuine top talent and protect American workers. The administration has sought to position the policy as a strategic measure to prioritize highly skilled workers who can contribute to American innovation and economic growth.

As the White House and the administration’s allies push the policy forward, observers cautioned that confusion around the fee’s scope and execution could create disruptions for students, researchers, and tech workers seeking to navigate visa rules. Officials acknowledged that the rollout would continue to evolve and that clarifications would be issued as needed to address questions from employers, universities, and foreign nationals.

The incident at SFO—the most visible spillover of the policy’s rollout—illustrates how immigration policy, economic competition for talent, and political messaging intersect in real time. For now, travelers and employers are watching closely for further details on how the fee will be applied, what qualifies as a “highly valuable” candidate under the gold-card program, and how the government will interpret and enforce renewals and existing visa statuses as the policy unfolds.