Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Sridhar Vembu Urges Indians in US to Return Amid PERM Suspension
Sridhar Vembu, a leader at Zoho, asked Indians living in the United States to consider returning to India.
He said they could help strengthen India's technology sector.
His message came after the United States suspended technology companies from a programme used in the process for some work-based green cards.
The articles do not agree on how many companies were suspended: one says eight and another says nine.
US officials said the programme could hurt American workers.
The Department of Labor said it would stop handling new and pending applications involving the affected companies.
The reports say the restrictions do not cancel existing H-1B visas.
Vembu said countries can develop even while some people move abroad for better opportunities.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu urged Indian professionals in the United States to return and help build India.
His appeal followed the reported suspension of technology companies from the US PERM green-card labor certification programme.
The articles differ on the number suspended: one reports eight, while another says nine.
US officials said the programme could disadvantage American workers; the Department of Labor said it would stop accepting or processing related applications.
Vembu said countries including China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan developed while their citizens also migrated for opportunities.
- Who
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu and Indian professionals in the United States; US officials announced the company suspensions.
- What
- Vembu urged Indians in the US to return, following suspensions from the PERM labor certification programme.
- When
- Vembu posted his appeal on October 9, 2026; the articles do not establish the date of the suspension announcement.
- Where
- The suspensions concern the US PERM programme; Vembu urged Indians living in America to help build India.
- Why
- Vembu cited uncertainty around US immigration policies and encouraged professionals to contribute to India's development; US officials cited concerns about effects on American workers.
US Officials' Concerns
Vembu's Appeal
Effect on American workers
US Officials' Concerns
The Trump administration argued that the programme had shut Americans out of job opportunities. JD Vance criticized Microsoft's use of the system while it laid off American workers and continued seeking approvals.
Vembu's Appeal
Vembu acknowledged Indians' contributions to America's technology sector and urged professionals facing uncertainty to consider returning to India.
Migration and national development
US Officials' Concerns
US officials focused on alleged harm to American workers and concerns about how companies used the programme.
Vembu's Appeal
Vembu argued that countries can develop while their citizens migrate for better opportunities, citing China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
- Programme
- Permanent Labor Certification Programme (PERM), a step employers generally use when seeking employment-based permanent residency for foreign workers.
- Reported suspensions
- The reports conflict: one says eight technology companies and another says nine.
- Companies named
- Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini are named; another report also identifies TCS.
- Applications
- The Department of Labor said it would stop accepting new or processing pending labor certification applications involving the companies.
- Existing H-1B visas
- One report says the restrictions do not invalidate existing H-1B visas.
- Figures since 2009
- One report says the firms requested nearly 3 million foreign workers, received over 230,000 H-1B visa approvals and more than 100,000 permanent labor certifications.
- Vembu's message
- In a post dated October 9, 2026, Vembu wrote: “Come back, let's build India.”
