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Sridhar Vembu Urges Indians in US to Return Amid PERM Suspension
Sridhar Vembu, who leads Zoho, asked Indians living in the United States to consider coming back to India.
His message came after the US suspended nine technology companies from a programme used to seek permanent work-based residence for foreign workers.
US officials said the programme could hurt American workers and raised concerns about how it was used.
The Labor Department said it would stop handling new and pending applications involving the suspended companies.
Officials named firms including Microsoft, Infosys, Tata, Wipro and Cognizant.
Vembu said migration does not prevent a country from developing.
He pointed to China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan as examples.
He encouraged people to help build India's future.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urged Indians in the United States to return and help build India.
His appeal followed the US suspension of nine IT firms from the PERM green-card labor certification programme.
The Trump administration said the programme had shut Americans out of job opportunities; officials cited concerns about fraud and employment impacts.
The Department of Labor said it would stop accepting new or processing pending PERM applications involving the suspended companies.
Vembu argued that countries can develop while their citizens migrate for better opportunities, citing China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
- Who
- Sridhar Vembu urged Indians in the United States to return; US officials announced the PERM suspensions.
- What
- Nine IT firms were suspended from the PERM programme, and the Department of Labor said it would halt related new and pending applications.
- Where
- The suspensions concern a US labor certification programme; Vembu addressed Indians living in America and encouraged them to build India.
- When
- Vembu posted his appeal on October 9, 2026; the article does not give the suspension announcement date.
- Why
- US officials said the programme had shut Americans out of jobs and raised concerns about its impact on American workers.
US Officials' Concerns
Vembu's Appeal
Effects on American workers
US Officials' Concerns
The Trump administration argued that the programme had shut Americans out of the job market. JD Vance criticized Microsoft's use of the system while it laid off American workers and continued seeking visa and labor certification approvals.
Vembu's Appeal
Vembu emphasized Indians' contributions to America's technology sector and said Indians facing visa uncertainty could return to help build India.
Migration and national development
US Officials' Concerns
US officials focused on alleged harm to American workers and concerns about companies' use of the programme.
Vembu's Appeal
Vembu said migration for better opportunities can occur alongside national development, pointing to China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
Key facts
- Programme
- Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM)
- Suspended companies
- The article says nine IT firms were suspended; it names Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini.
- Applications
- The Department of Labor said it would stop accepting new and processing pending PERM applications involving the companies.
- Figures since 2009
- The named firms reportedly requested nearly 3 million foreign workers, received over 230,000 H-1B visa approvals and more than 100,000 permanent labor certifications.
- H-1B share
- Indian professionals account for over 70% of approved H-1B petitions annually, according to the article.
- Vembu's post
- Vembu called on Indians in the US to return and help build India in a post dated October 9, 2026.
Quotes
Sridhar Vembu
Founder of Zoho who commented on migration and national development.
“The Chinese migrated in large numbers even as China developed. Taiwanese migrated in large numbers as Taiwan developed. Same with South Korea and before that Japan. My point is that development at a national level accompanies our migration of talent seeking better opportunities faster”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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