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On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications, up from $215. The move aims to prioritize American workers and reduce visa abuse but has sparked confusion, legal challenges, and concerns over impacts on tech firms and foreign workers, especially from India, which received 71% of visas last year.
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On September 21, 2025, the US implemented a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications, sparking confusion and travel advisories among tech firms and visa holders. The fee applies only to new petitions, not renewals or current holders. The policy has caused anxiety among Chinese and Indian workers, disrupted personal plans, and prompted some to consider relocating to Europe.
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As of November 10, 2025, the US government shutdown, the longest in history at over 40 days, is close to ending after bipartisan talks yielded a short-term funding deal. The impasse, rooted in disputes over healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, has caused widespread disruptions including unpaid federal workers, flight cancellations, and halted food aid for millions.
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The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51-49 against a resolution that would have required congressional approval for military actions in Venezuela. The vote comes amid ongoing U.S. military buildup and strikes targeting alleged drug vessels off Venezuela's coast, raising concerns over executive overreach and legal justification.
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On December 4-5, 2025, a Pentagon Inspector General report cleared Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of wrongdoing after he used the Signal app on his personal device to share sensitive information about planned strikes on Yemen's Houthi militants. While Hegseth had authority to declassify the material, the report found his actions violated Pentagon policy and risked operational security. The case is considered closed amid bipartisan scrutiny.