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.

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.

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.

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.