Archive · 9 Oct 2026
India Calls US PERM Move Unhelpful, Vance Remarks Offensive
The United States suspended some companies from a program used in the process of getting permanent residency, often called a Green Card.
India said this could affect some eligible workers’ Green Card applications.
It also said the change does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or change the status of visa holders and their dependents.
India said skilled workers benefit both the United States and India.
It defended Indian professionals’ contributions to the US economy and innovation.
India also criticized Vice President JD Vance for calling H-1B workers “indentured servants,” saying the phrase was deeply offensive.
Vance said some foreign workers are paid less than Americans doing similar jobs.
The US Labor Department said the suspensions were linked to active federal investigations.
India said US suspensions from the PERM program could affect eligible employees’ Green Card processes.
The Ministry of External Affairs said PERM is separate from H-1B and the move does not by itself affect existing H-1B visas or holders’ and dependents’ status.
India argued that talent mobility supports both economies through innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation.
India called Vice President JD Vance’s description of H-1B workers as “indentured servants” unwarranted and deeply offensive.
Vance argued that some H-1B and outsourced workers earn less than comparable American workers and that 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 US suspensions from the PERM program and objected to Vance’s remarks about H-1B workers.
- When
- India responded on Friday, a day after the US suspensions; Vance made the cited remarks on Thursday.
- Where
- The United States and India.
- Why
- India said the suspensions could affect eligible employees’ Green Card processes and objected to Vance’s characterization of workers.
India’s position
US officials’ position
PERM suspensions and talent mobility
India’s position
India said the suspensions could affect eligible employees’ Green Card processes and do not advance shared ambitions; it described talent mobility as mutually beneficial.
US officials’ position
The US Labor Department suspended named companies from the PERM program, citing active federal investigations. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the companies had sought millions of foreign workers and received hundreds of thousands of H-1B approvals and permanent labor certifications.
H-1B workers and wages
India’s position
India defended Indian professionals as highly educated and skilled contributors and called Vance’s “indentured servants” description unwarranted and deeply offensive.
US officials’ position
Vance argued that some H-1B and outsourced workers are paid less than comparable American workers and that companies use them to undercut wages.
- Program
- Permanent Labour Certification (PERM), which India said is distinct from the H-1B visa program.
- Possible effect
- Eligible employees of affected companies could face an impact on their permanent-residency or Green Card process.
- Existing H-1B status
- India said the suspensions do not by themselves affect existing H-1B visas or the status of holders and dependents.
- Companies named
- Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.
- US explanation
- The US Labor Department attributed the suspensions to multiple active federal investigations.
- India’s position
- India said talent mobility benefits both economies and the US steps do not advance the countries’ shared ambitions.
- Vance’s wage claim
- Vance said H-1B workers earn $20,000 less and workers brought by foreign outsourcing firms earn $48,000 less than comparable American workers.
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’
India Slams US Labour Certification Move, Calls Vance's Remarks Offensive
