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Why tougher US visa rules for skilled foreign workers may end in exodus to Asia, Europe

Yoyo Yue has spent much of her life navigating the complex US immigration system.
The 31-year-old Chinese content creator moved from China to a US boarding…

By Samantha Johnson / April 27, 2026

Yoyo Yue has spent much of her life navigating the complex US immigration system.

The 31-year-old Chinese content creator moved from China to a US boarding school, went to university, secured an H-1B visa and later a “green card” – a path long considered the “gold standard” for skilled foreign workers. Now, she said, that path felt far less certain.

“The H-1B path today comes with significant uncertainty, not just around job stability, but also around long-term prospects,” Yue said.

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US President Donald Trump has targeted skilled work visas in his second term, making America “less of a default dream now, and more of a calculated decision” for those considering the same route, she added, one that required a substantial financial investment.
Chinese content creator Yoyo Yue secured an H-1B visa and later a green card. Photo: Handout
Chinese content creator Yoyo Yue secured an H-1B visa and later a green card. Photo: Handout
Foreign workers are finding their hopes of building a life in the US shattered, as Trump’s “America first” agenda continues to target both legal and illegal immigration.

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While Trump’s overall approach is primarily aimed at his blue-collar base, the administration’s broad sweep has affected nearly every part of the immigration system, with a bias towards fewer numbers and more revenue.

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