- By Shailvee Tiwari
- Mon, 22 Sep 2025 01:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Rome Viral Video: Travel plans can change in a heartbeat, just ask Rish, an Indian-origin American, whose Roman holiday turned chaotic in an instant. What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation with her boyfriend quickly became a mad scramble after President Donald Trump signed a new rule imposing a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa holders. Rish captured the unexpected drama in an Instagram reel. Her boyfriend had to abruptly leave an Italian pasta-making class, not just the class but Rome itself, to catch a flight back to the United States before the new visa rule kicked in.
“Crazy turn of events. My boyfriend had to get up out of our Italian pasta-making class in Rome. Leave. I kid you not, leave. Not the class. Leave Rome,” she said in the video. She explained that the timing of the rule created a frantic situation. “Because of the whole H1B $100,000 visa situation that’s going to affect Saturday at midnight. And it’s literally Saturday, midday in Rome right now,” Rish added. Acting fast, her boyfriend booked “the next flight to anywhere near the US” to beat the deadline on September 21.
Even amidst the chaos, Rish tried to stay calm. “It’ll be fine. Italian vacations can happen again, like, not stressed. But it does make me wonder…” she said. She reflected on how the sudden rule could devastate people who aren’t able to quickly change their plans. “Number one, people that can’t just drop off their hat, buy a ticket back. Or number two, too far away in a different country to make it back in time. Who just like had their entire world flipped upside down overnight,” she added.
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The video shared just a day ago recived many reactions from Instagram users. "People who are saying that he did not look into details and that it doesn't affect the current one's. How would he know with the bare minimum information the announcement was made!? These points and clarifications came much later and people were literally panicking for at least 15 -18 hours without any details and knowing Mr president nobody would take such chance and do the best they can," a user wrote.
"He didnt look into it enough to understand how it works, it only applies to new applicants, he didnt have to flee like that," a second user wrote. "Mad respect to how calm you are. I think I'd have been freaking out. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and that things are (eventually) fine for your partner," wrote a third user.
"+1 happened with us as well, rushed back from Amsterdam to US only to realize that the proclamation doesn’t even apply to us," added a fourth user. "It’s sucks but you can go back. Job is more important. And it looks like a false alarm anyway as it doesn’t apply to current holders," added another user.