"Leave. I kid you not, leave. Not the class. Leave Rome."
A US Indian woman’s Italian holiday turned chaotic after her boyfriend abruptly cut short their trip and left for the United States after President Donald Trump added a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications.
In a video, Rish explained that her boyfriend left an Italian pasta-making class mid-session to catch a flight back to the US. Meanwhile, she remains in Rome.
The rush followed President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications.
The rule, which took effect on September 21, sparked panic among visa holders.
Rish said: “Crazy turn of events. My boyfriend had to get up out of our Italian pasta-making class in Rome.
“Leave. I kid you not, leave. Not the class. Leave Rome.”
She explained that the sudden move was due to the timing of the new visa rule:
“Because of the whole H1B $100,000 visa situation that’s going to affect Saturday at midnight. And it’s literally Saturday, midday in Rome right now.”
She revealed that her boyfriend quickly booked “the next flight to anywhere near the US” to return before the deadline.
Despite the disruption, she remained composed:
“It’ll be fine. Italian vacations can happen again, like, not stressed. But it does make me wonder…”
Rish reflected on the wider impact for others facing the change:
“Number one, people that can’t just drop off their hat, buy a ticket back. Or number two, too far away in a different country to make it back in time. Who just like had their entire world flipped upside down overnight.”
The video spread quickly online, drawing a wave of comments.
One wrote: “It happening this quickly was definitely intentional! Glad he could make it back in time, though.”
Another said: “Mad respect to how calm you are. I think I’d have been freaking out. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and that things are (eventually) fine for your partner.”
A third person who was also caught up in the panic commented:
“Literally took the first flight out of Munich to land before the cutoff, only to learn that it did not impact existing visa holders. Absolutely insane!”
@lifeofrgr Girl math says we basically just made $100,000 #visa #h1b ? original sound – Rish
The video led to Rish posting an Instagram Story, addressing the racially motivated messages she has received.
Explaining that she has received “a few grossly vulgar DMs and comments”, she said the comments were about how Indians on H-1B visas do not deserve their jobs in the US.
She continued: “Assuming obviously that my boyfriend on an H-1B is Indian. Because I’m Indian.
“He’s actually Australian… and white…
“And I’m almost positive that if these people knew that, they wouldn’t make the same comments and DMs that they are.”
Rish said it was “appalling” to “see how aggressively racially divisive the past few months have turned so many things”.
Trump’s announcement created confusion among H-1B visa holders, particularly in the Indian community, which accounts for more than 70% of recipients.
Immigration lawyers reported a flood of calls from concerned clients seeking clarity on applications and travel plans.
Later in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a clarification on X:
“This is not an annual fee. It’s a one-time fee that applies only to the petition.”
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