The U.S. tech and startup community was stunned by an executive order last week imposing a $100,000fee for employers seeking new H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers, a program heavily used by the technology industry.  

This move brings a longstanding debate back to the forefront: are skilled immigrants taking American jobs, or are they a vital engine for innovation and economic growth?

Our guest this week has a strong point of view on this topic. Shirish Nadkarni is a serial entrepreneur and Microsoft veteran who founded companies acquired by BlackBerry and Rosetta Stone. An immigrant himself, he just released a timely new book, The Indian American Tech Success Story, which makes the case that immigrant founders, particularly from India, are one of America's greatest economic assets — creating far more jobs than they could ever be accused of taking.

Related Links and Stories
Startup leaders warn new $100K H-1B visa fee will hurt U.S. entrepreneurship and innovation
New TiE Seattle president on how the $100K H-1B fee could snuff out entrepreneurial flame
Will new U.S. visa fee boost Canada’s tech sector? B.C. sees an opening against Seattle and Silicon Valley

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Edited by Curt Milton.

The U.S. tech and startup community was stunned by <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/startup-leaders-warn-new-100k-h-1b-visa-fee-will-hurt-u-s-entrepreneurship-and-innovation/">an executive order</a> last week imposing a $100,000 fee for employers seeking new H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers, a program heavily used by the technology industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This move brings a longstanding debate back to the forefront: are skilled immigrants taking American jobs, or are they a vital engine for innovation and economic growth?
Our guest this week has a strong point of view on this topic.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirishn/">Shirish Nadkarni</a> is a serial entrepreneur and Microsoft veteran who founded companies acquired by BlackBerry and Rosetta Stone. An immigrant himself, he just released a timely new book,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Indian-American-Tech-Success-Story-ebook/dp/B0FRHW5SSW/">The Indian American Tech Success Story</a>, which makes the case that immigrant founders, particularly from India, are one of America's greatest economic assets &mdash; creating far more jobs than they could ever be accused of taking.
Related Links and Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/startup-leaders-warn-new-100k-h-1b-visa-fee-will-hurt-u-s-entrepreneurship-and-innovation/">Startup leaders warn new $100K H-1B visa fee will hurt U.S. entrepreneurship and innovation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/new-tie-seattle-president-on-how-the-100k-h-1b-fee-could-snuff-out-entrepreneurial-flame/">New TiE Seattle president on how the $100K H-1B fee could snuff out entrepreneurial flame</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/will-new-u-s-visa-fee-boost-canadas-tech-sector-b-c-sees-an-opening-against-seattle-and-silicon-valley/">Will new U.S. visa fee boost Canada&rsquo;s tech sector? B.C. sees an opening against Seattle and Silicon Valley</a><a href="https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/"></a></li>
</ul>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Edited by Curt Milton.

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.

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