O n September 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order, raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 . Many fear that this will disproportionately impact Indian workers, especially those with lower median salaries. Although the White House has clarified that the fee applies only to new applicants and not those up for renewal or already in the country, there are concerns, especially against the backdrop of immigration control and protectionism. Is the American Dream dead for Indians? Arjun Appadurai and Ajay Srivastava discuss this question in a conversation moderated by Saptaparno Ghosh . Edited excerpts:

The hike in the H-1B visa fees has led to some panic in India. Would you say the American Dream is now dead?

Arjun Appadurai : Dreams do not die in the same w

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