Indian H-1B workers in the United States have reportedly become the target of online racism after President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. The announcement created panic among Indian professionals working in America, many of whom rushed to return to the US before the September 21 deadline set by their employers.
Amazon, Microsoft, and JPMorgan advised their Indian staff to come back quickly. This sudden rush caused ticket prices from New Delhi to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to double, jumping from about Rs 37,000-40,000 to Rs 70,000-80,000.
Amid this chaos, users of the right-wing online forum 4chan launched a racist prank called “Operation Clog The Toilet.” The goal was to block Indian workers from returning by disrupting airline bookings.
According to reports, 4chan users searched for popular India-US routes, selected seats, and kept the checkout page open for several minutes without paying. This trick temporarily held the seats, making it harder for real passengers to buy tickets.
Posts on the forum used offensive language toward Indians, calling them “Jeets,” a derogatory slur for South Asians. Some users bragged about locking hundreds of seats, with comments such as “total jeet death” and “whatever it takes to make a turd-free west.”
The operation worsened the panic triggered by Trump’s announcement. However, the White House later clarified that the new $100,000 fee only applies to new H-1B applicants, not to those already holding valid visas. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said current visa holders would not be affected, easing some of the fears.
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Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
