H-1B row: One in three immigrants cancel travel over fear of ICE monitoring, survey finds

A nationwide survey shows that fear of immigration enforcement is affecting the daily lives of immigrants across the US, with travel emerging as a major concern.

About 27 per cent of immigrants said they had avoided trips within the country or overseas to reduce the risk of encounters with immigration authorities.




The survey was conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with The New York Times in 2025 (August to October). It found that nearly three in ten immigrants altered or cancelled travel plans specifically to avoid drawing attention from immigration authorities. The fear is not limited to undocumented migrants. Many immigrants with legal status, including H-1B visa holders, and even some naturalised US citizens, said they stayed put.

Among H-1B visa holders, about one-third reported choosing not to travel due to immigration concerns. The survey showed the impact of recent policy changes. In July, the US State Department ended remote and third-country renewals for H-1B and H-4 visas, requiring applicants to return to their home countries to complete the process. In September, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications. The administration also expanded social media screening, reviewing applicants’ digital footprint during the vetting process.

These measures strained US consulates and embassies, particularly in India. Interview schedules and visa appointments were postponed by nearly a year, and some as far out as 2027. Hundreds of skilled professionals were left stranded in their home countries after travelling for interviews, separated from jobs and families in US.

The survey also shows that travel anxiety is not restricted to H-1B holders. Nearly two-thirds of undocumented immigrants reported avoiding travel, both within the US and abroad.

The fear comes after reports that the Transportation Security Administration has shared domestic travel information, including passenger lists, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the American Bazaar. In the past, immigration authorities mostly did not have access to this data. Many immigrants said they are trying to stay under the radar because of closer checks at airports, borders, and other travel points.

However, most immigrants said they would still choose to come to the United States if given the chance again, according to the survey.

The findings are based on a nationally representative survey of 1,805 immigrant adults currently living in the US.