59 mins ago
India Rebukes US PERM Move and Vance’s Remarks
The United States suspended some technology companies from a program used in the process of getting permanent residency, often called a Green Card.
India said this could affect some workers’ Green Card applications.
It also said the change does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or change the status of people who hold them and their dependents.
India argued that skilled workers from India help businesses and economies in both countries.
It criticized US Vice President JD Vance for calling H-1B workers “indentured servants.”
India said the phrase was offensive and overlooked the workers’ skills and contributions.
Vance said some companies use foreign workers because they cost less than American workers.
The US Labor Department said the suspended companies were subject to active federal investigations.
India said the US suspension of PERM applications could affect eligible employees’ Green Card process, but does not by itself change existing H-1B visas or holders’ status.
The US Labor Department suspended several technology companies from the PERM program, citing active federal investigations.
The Ministry of External Affairs said talent mobility benefits both countries and that the US steps do not advance their shared ambitions.
India called Vice President JD Vance’s description of H-1B workers as “indentured servants” unwarranted and deeply offensive.
Vance argued that some foreign workers are paid less than comparable American workers and said companies use them to undercut wages.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the US Labor Department, and US Vice President JD Vance.
- What
- India criticized the suspension of certain companies from the PERM program and Vance’s remarks about H-1B workers.
- Where
- The United States and India.
- When
- The US suspension was announced before India’s Friday response; Vance made the quoted remarks on Thursday.
- Why
- India said the suspension could affect some Green Card processes and objected to Vance’s characterization of H-1B workers.
India’s position
US officials’ position
PERM suspensions and talent mobility
India’s position
India said the action could affect eligible employees’ Green Card processes and does not advance shared ambitions; it emphasized the mutual benefits of talent mobility.
US officials’ position
The US Labor Department suspended certain companies from the program, citing active federal investigations; Secretary Keith Sonderling cited the companies’ requests for foreign workers and approvals.
H-1B workers and wages
India’s position
India defended Indian professionals as highly educated, skilled contributors and called Vance’s “indentured servants” description unwarranted and deeply offensive.
US officials’ position
Vance said some H-1B workers and workers brought by outsourcing firms are paid less than comparable Americans, arguing that companies use them to undercut wages.
Key facts
- Program affected
- Permanent Labour Certification (PERM), a program distinct from H-1B visas.
- Effect on existing H-1B status
- India said the PERM suspension does not by itself affect existing H-1B visas or the status of holders and dependents.
- Potential Green Card effect
- Eligible employees of affected companies could face an impact on their permanent-residency process.
- US explanation
- The Labor Department attributed the suspensions to multiple active federal investigations.
- Companies named
- Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe.
- India’s position
- India said talent mobility benefits both economies and that the US steps do not advance shared ambitions.
- Vance’s claim
- Vance argued that some H-1B and outsourcing workers earn less than comparable American workers.
Quotes
India’s Ministry of External Affairs
India’s foreign ministry, issuing the government’s statement on the US decision.
“It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, though there could be some impact on the permanent-residency/Green Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies.”
indianexpress.com
republicworld.com
“Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive.”
firstpost.com
JD Vance
US vice president speaking at a news conference on visa fraud.
“You bring in indentured servants from outside the country, you lay off American workers and, if you’re a corporation, you make a ton of money by under cutting the wages of American workers, replacing them with people who frankly shouldn’t be in the United States of America to begin with.”
republicworld.com
Sources
US Green Card curbs ‘do not advance shared ambitions’, JD Vance remarks ‘deeply offensive’, says India
US Perm move: India calls JD Vance’s immigration remarks ‘unwarranted, deeply offensive’
'Steps by US Don't Advance Shared Ambitions': MEA Responds to US Barring Tech Majors from Green Card Program
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