The Trump administration announced on Friday that it will require companies to pay an annual fee of $10,000 for H-1B work visas, a move that has prompted several major technology companies to advise visa holders to remain in the United States or return promptly. This change could deal a significant blow to the technology sector, which heavily relies on technical talent from countries including India.

Since taking office in January, Trump has launched an extensive immigration crackdown, including measures to restrict certain forms of legal immigration. This reform of the H-1B visa program represents the most prominent action by his administration to date in adjusting the temporary work visa system.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated: "If we're going to train people, we should train recent graduates from our nation's top universities. We should train Americans, not bring in outsiders to take our jobs." The Trump administration's threat to crack down on the H-1B visa system has become a major point of contention with the technology industry—a sector that donated millions of dollars to his presidential campaign.

According to internal emails reviewed by media outlets, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase and Amazon.com have responded to the announcement by advising their H-1B visa-holding employees to remain in the United States. These companies have recommended that H-1B visa holders currently outside the United States return before Saturday midnight, when the new fee structure will take effect. Ogletree Deakins, the law firm handling visa applications for JPMorgan Chase, wrote in an email to the investment bank's employees: "H-1B visa holders currently in the United States should remain in the United States and avoid international travel until the government issues clear travel guidance."