In this thought-provoking clip of *Black Out with Ian & Rashad*, your hosts Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap dive into the $250 “visa integrity” fee recently imposed by the U.S.—a policy expected to cost the country a whopping $9.4 billion in tourism revenue over three years. The conversation unpacks how this new surcharge, which targets all non-immigrant visa applications (students, tourists, business travelers), is likely to harm not only travelers from African nations but the entire American tourism ecosystem.

Ian and Rashad break down the numbers: 15,000 potential U.S. travel sector job losses, $1.3 billion in lost tax revenue, and a growing debate over whether the Congressional Budget Office’s projected $27 billion in extra visa fee income is worth the wider economic hit. What does this mean for cities like Las Vegas—already struggling with plummeting hotel occupancy rates—and for domestic vs. international travel in general?

The hosts explore why travel dreams for many Americans have shifted. Once, Disney and Miami were the pinnacle of vacations; now, influencers and artists set new expectations that are only rising, with destinations like Cabo and Turks and Caicos becoming “the norm.” Meanwhile, some U.S. hotspots like Vegas and LA are facing real challenges, including competition from international destinations that are sometimes more affordable or appealing than domestic trips.

You’ll also catch a lively tangent on hip-hop’s role in setting (and sometimes warping) our standards for luxury and travel, including a deep-dive on Cardi B’s latest track and how rappers are reshaping cultural expectations.

👉 Is the U.S. pricing itself out of the global tourism market?

👉 Has the allure of domestic travel taken a permanent hit in the age of social media and remote work?

👉 Are new visa policies just creating bigger barriers—and who pays the price?

Tune in for this candid, timely discussion connecting policy, pop culture, and the real-world travel choices facing Americans and international visitors alike.

**Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest takes on business, culture, and finance from Ian & Rashad!**

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Stay in the know with *Black Out with Ian & Rashad*—your go-to for real talk on the stories impacting you. Got thoughts on this new visa policy? Drop them in the comments!

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