'Operation Clog the Toilet': Campaign blocks Indian H-1B visa holders from rushing back to US amid Trump's fee shock
Following US President Donald Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee move, users on 4chan launched 'Operation Clog the Toilet'. The campaign aimed to block Indian visa holders from returning to the US by reserving seats on busy routes and inflating airfares.
After United States President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, users on the anonymous image board 4chan initiated ‘Operation Clog the Toilet’. The campaign aimed to derail the travel plans of Indian H-1B visa holders rushing back to the US.
What is 4Chan?
4Chan, an anonymous online message board established in 2003, is known for spawning internet memes, viral trends, trolling, and occasionally extremist content. Its lack of user registration fosters both creative freedom and notoriety, with past incidents involving coordinated pranks and harassment campaigns, such as ‘Operation Clog the Toilet’ aimed at Indian H-1B visa holders.
What is ‘Operation Clog the Toilet’?
The operation reportedly involved identifying busy India–US routes, reserving multiple seats without completing payment, and repeating the process to temporarily block availability. This tactic, according to reports, led to a spike in airfares and hindered genuine travellers.
One participant claimed, “I got 100 seats locked," boasting about the disruption caused, reported Money Control.
White House clarifies H-1B visa fee scope
Amid growing panic, the White House clarified that the fee would apply only to new H-1B visa applications, leaving existing visa holders unaffected.
“Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X, adding, "This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders.”
Despite the clarification, the online campaign's impact on airfare and travel logistics was already being felt.
H-1B visas enable companies to hire foreign professionals with specialised expertise, like scientists and computer programmers, to work in the United States. These visas are initially granted for three years and can be extended up to six years. Each year, the United States issues 85,000 H-1B visas through a lottery process, with about 75% of the recipients coming from India.