In a viral video on Instagram, an Indian-origin woman vacationing in Rome narrated the "crazy turn of events" that took place after her boyfriend, on an H-1B visa, was forced to abandon their holiday and rush back to the US. The chaos followed after US President Donald Trump imposed a new one-time visa fee of $100,000. In the clip, Rish (@lifeofrgr) can be seen walking down the beautiful streets of Rome all by herself. She shared that her boyfriend had to get out of their Italian pasta-making class and leave, not just the class, but Rome.
"Because of the whole H1B $100,000 visa situation that's going to affect Saturday at midnight. And it's literally Saturday, midday in Rome right now," Rish said.
Her boyfriend quickly booked "the next flight to anywhere in the US" in an attempt to get back before the rule came into effect.
Post announcement of the new fees, tech companies and banks sent urgent memos to employees, advising them to return before a deadline of 12:01 a.m. US Eastern Time Sunday, and telling them not to leave the country, reported Reuters.
Also Read: Will The Recent Changes In US H-1B Visa Affect Indian Tourists? What You Need To Know
"So now I'm here solo. He'll be fine. Italian vacations can happen again, not stressed. But it does make me wonder about people who can't just at the drop of a hat, buy a ticket back or are too far away in a different country to make it back in time, who just like had their entire world flipped upside down overnight, because it came into effect and happened so quickly. Crazy times we live in," she continued.
A White House official on Saturday clarified that the order applied only to new applicants and not holders of existing visas or those seeking renewals. But Trump's proclamation a day before had already set off alarm bells.
"Anyways, I'm going to go shopping. I think I deserve it," Rish ended her video. In the caption, she added, "I (obviously) finished the class and ate enough pasta for both of us. Hope all of you are safe and okay."
The video is going viral on Instagram, with many people expressing their shock at the sudden chaos that ensued following Trump's proclamation.
A viewer wrote, "I'm sorry, and I hope you make the best out of the rest of your trip!" Another added, "The situation is so bad omg." A third chimed in, "I'm so sorry, girl...I hope you had a great time shopping."
One commented, "Mad respect to how calm you are. I think I'd have been freaking out. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and that things are (eventually) fine for your partner." A user added, "It sucks, but you can go back. The job is more important. And it looks like a false alarm anyway, as it doesn't apply to current holders."
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