近日，有關美國H-1B簽證持有人返美問題的新聞引發廣泛關注。據報導，自美國政府宣布H-1B簽證申請人若不繳納每年10萬美元的費用將不得入境以來，許多在美工作的印度籍員工急忙返回美國，以保留自己的簽證資格並避免支付這筆高額費用。隨後，有部分美國網民開始在網路上號召其他人預訂從印度飛往美國的航班。根據訂票平台的規則，即便預訂者未支付機票款項，座位仍會被保留15分鐘。這些網民認為，只要有足夠多的人同時預訂並佔用座位，就能讓印度員工無法購票返回美國，進而可能失去簽證和工作機會。

這一行動最初由美國“4Chan”論壇上的一批用戶發起，他們抱怨H-1B簽證使大量外國人進入美國，搶走本應屬於美國人的就業機會。由於印度人在H-1B簽證持有人中占比最高，這些美國網民通過網路交流“占票策略”，鼓動更多用戶鎖定航班座位，甚至有網民聲稱自己長期霸占100個座位。另有參與者上傳的截圖顯示，在大量美國網民的參與下，印度員工返回美國的機票價格正在不斷上升。

《今日印度》於21日報導指出，這種行為明顯針對H-1B簽證持有人中占比最高的印度人，並斥責這一舉動嚴重干擾印度人的正常出行。值得注意的是，即便白宮新聞秘書卡羅琳·萊維特在社交媒體X上澄清表示，“已持H-1B簽證且目前在國外的人將不會被收取10萬美元的重新入境費”，亞馬遜、微軟和摩根大通等大型企業仍指示其持H-1B簽證的員工留在美國或立即返回，以確保工作與簽證安全。

根據《印度快報》數據，2022年10月至2023年9月期間，美國H-1B簽證發放近40萬張，其中有高達72%發給印度公民。此事件不僅暴露美國社會對外籍勞工的爭議和矛盾，也凸顯在全球化與移民政策背景下，簽證制度、國際勞動力流動與網路行動對個人權益可能造成的影響。

Recently, news regarding the return of H-1B visa holders to the United States has drawn significant attention. Reports indicate that after the U.S. government announced that H-1B visa applicants would have to pay an annual fee of $100,000 to enter the country—or risk being denied entry—many Indian employees working in the U.S. rushed to return in order to maintain their visa status and avoid paying this hefty fee. Following this announcement, some American internet users began encouraging others to reserve flights from India to the U.S. Under booking platform rules, even if the ticket is not paid for, the seat is held for 15 minutes. These users believed that by having enough people simultaneously book seats and hold them, Indian employees would be unable to purchase tickets to return to the U.S., potentially causing them to lose both their visas and jobs.

This initiative was initially launched by a group of users on the U.S. forum “4Chan,” who complained that the H-1B visa program allowed too many foreigners to enter the U.S., taking jobs that should have gone to Americans. Since Indian citizens make up the majority of H-1B visa holders, these users shared “seat-blocking strategies” online and encouraged more participants to lock as many seats as possible. Some users claimed to have long-term control over up to 100 seats, and screenshots uploaded by participants indicated that, due to widespread participation, the cost of flights for Indians returning to the U.S. was steadily increasing.

The Times of India reported on the 21st that these actions specifically targeted Indian H-1B visa holders and criticized the campaign for disrupting their travel plans. Notably, White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt clarified on social media platform X that “those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently abroad will not be required to pay the $100,000 reentry fee.” Nevertheless, major companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase have instructed their H-1B visa employees to either remain in the U.S. or return immediately to ensure their job and visa security.

According to The Indian Express, between October 2022 and September 2023, nearly 400,000 H-1B visas were issued in the U.S., with approximately 72% going to Indian citizens. This incident not only highlights tensions and controversies surrounding foreign labor in the U.S., but also underscores how visa policies, international workforce mobility, and coordinated online actions can significantly impact individual rights and opportunities in a globalized context.