As the Trump administration imposes a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, many tech leaders in the Bay Area say the policy could deal a serious blow to innovation and economic competitiveness in Silicon Valley and beyond.

The H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields, has long been a lifeline for startups and established tech giants alike. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services , California consistently receives the highest number of H-1B workers each year, with many of them based in Silicon Valley.

Deedy Das, a San Francisco venture capitalist and partner at Menlo Ventures, is a former H-1B visa holder from India. He now helps fund startups and artificial intelligence companies throughout the region.

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