As the Trump administration imposes new sanctions on H-1B visa renewals, people across the country have been feeling waves of paranoia and frustration. With nearly 700,000 H-1B visa holders and over 500,000 dependents, these policy changes could destabilize hundreds of thousands of families.
On Sept. 19th, 2025, President Trump made a proclamation to restrict the entry into the United States by H-1B visas. Under this proclamation, workers or their sponsor companies would have to pay a $100,000 fee to enter the country. While the proclamation clarifies that it would require only new applicants to pay the fee, when the policy changes were initially introduced, many current H-1B holders were still worried about their personal status and renewal policies.
Pleasant Valley is home to many H-4 holders (H-1B dependents) and as a result, many students have grown anxious and angry about the situation. “It made me extremely angry and hopeless for my future in America. I’ve already had to move countries three times, and now I have a house, friends and so many other things planned,” said senior Tanav Pokala.
Like Pokala, students have become scared and uncertain of their futures.
This development is further compounded by the fact that many seniors are currently trying to discover what they want to do with their lives. With college application deadlines quickly approaching, students need to feel safe in their choices.
“My thoughts about my own future career are very unpredictable as of right now and it all depends on how the H-1B can change and fluctuate. My career depends on whether I’m considered an international student and need to have extremely high skill at a beginner level or not,” said Pokala. “Not having the security of knowing whether or not students will be allowed to stay in the country, can make the process of graduating from high school much more difficult and stressful.”
In regards to PV’s track record with amazing numbers of people who pursue higher education, the confusion surrounding visa status could dissuade many and heavily affect PV’s reputation.
While no concrete support can be given, PV’s job is to prepare students for the real world. “We here at PV hope that you guys walk out of here able to do anything. Regardless of your choice to go to college, trades or overseas. Whatever it is, we want to prepare students for their lives. Within this building we want to move forward,” said principal Mike Hawley.
The policy changes themselves can ultimately hurt America, as the visa program is a central component to the talent pipeline. Additionally, according to many economists, the presence of immigrant workers can actually help create additional jobs for native-born workers. Immigrant workers spend and invest their wages in the U.S economy which can stimulate demand and create jobs. H-1B holders and their families also contribute nearly $68 billion in taxes annually, which if removed can cause further stress on the American economy.
From PV’s perspective, there isn’t much to be done. “PV is clear that it will follow the law. If the law says ‘X’ we will follow the law,” says Hawley. “With that being said, I’ve had students who have real worries about it, breakdown and cry, and not just who you would think. I also have friends with similar worries even though they have legal status to be here due to visas,” Hawley continues.
To the students, Hawley insists that they should “stay their course.” In this time, it is important to stay informed and vigilant.
While this proclamation is still new and the details of its effects are still not fully understood, the impact is being felt in households and classrooms. For families dependent on the H-1B visa, the future is uncertain. While for some Americans this may seem a distant policy debate, for many students at PV and around the world, the reality is currently shaping their decisions and mental well-being.
Ultimately, the debate of H-1B visas is not only about economics or politics. For international students growing up in America, the stakes are clear: whether they will be able to build their futures in the places they now call home.
