Archive · 10 Oct 2026
India Rejects Vance Remark as US Suspends Firms from PERM
India objected to words US Vice President JD Vance used about H-1B workers.
He called some foreign workers “indentured servants” while criticizing how companies hire them.
India said the phrase was offensive because of its painful historical and colonial associations.
It said Indian professionals are skilled contributors to the US economy and innovation.
The US suspended eight technology companies from a programme used in employer-sponsored green-card applications.
US officials cited investigations and concerns about wages and American workers losing jobs.
India said the PERM programme is separate from H-1B visas.
The suspension alone does not cancel existing H-1B visas, but it could affect some employees’ paths to permanent residency.
India also said skilled-worker mobility can benefit both countries.
India called Vice President JD Vance’s description of H-1B workers as “indentured servants” unwarranted and deeply offensive, citing historical and colonial associations.
Vance alleged H-1B workers earn $20,000 less than comparable American workers, and workers brought by foreign outsourcing firms earn $48,000 less.
The US suspended eight technology companies from the PERM programme amid investigations and concerns about wage suppression and displacement of American workers.
The companies named were Microsoft, Tata, Wipro, Infosys, Adobe, Cognizant, HCL and Capgemini.
India said PERM is distinct from H-1B visas: the suspension alone does not invalidate existing visas, but could affect eligible employees’ green-card processes.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs, US Vice President JD Vance, and eight technology companies.
- What
- India objected to Vance’s description of H-1B workers and addressed US suspensions from the PERM green-card certification programme.
- When
- Vance’s remarks and the US suspensions were reported as occurring on Thursday; India’s response was reported on Friday. The articles do not specify a year.
- Where
- The dispute concerns US immigration and employment programmes and Indian professionals working in the United States.
- Why
- Vance alleged that foreign-worker hiring undercuts US wages and jobs; India objected to his language and said skilled-worker mobility benefits both countries.
India’s position
US administration’s position
Language used about H-1B workers
India’s position
India said the “indentured servants” description was unwarranted and deeply offensive, and ignored Indian professionals’ contributions.
US administration’s position
Vance used the phrase while alleging foreign-worker hiring and outsourcing firms undercut American wages and replace US workers.
Restrictions on PERM participation
India’s position
India said skilled-worker mobility benefits both economies and that the US steps do not advance the countries’ shared ambitions.
US administration’s position
The US administration framed the suspensions as a response to investigations and concerns about wage suppression and American workers being displaced or shut out.
- PERM
- Permanent Labor Certification, a step in the employer-sponsored green-card process; it is distinct from the H-1B visa programme.
- Companies suspended
- Microsoft, Tata, Wipro, Infosys, Adobe, Cognizant, HCL and Capgemini.
- Vance’s wage claims
- He alleged H-1B workers earn $20,000 less than comparable American workers, and workers brought by foreign outsourcing firms earn $48,000 less.
- US rationale reported
- The administration cited investigations and concerns about fraud, wage suppression and American workers being displaced or shut out.
- India’s objection
- India called the “indentured servants” description unwarranted and deeply offensive, citing historical and colonial connotations.
- H-1B visa status
- India said the PERM suspension alone does not affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders and dependents.
- Potential green-card impact
- Eligible employees of affected companies could face delays or difficulties in obtaining permanent residency.
- India-US engagement
- India said it remained in contact with the US on concerns involving Indian professionals and IT firms, and on a mutually beneficial trade arrangement.
Sources
India Slams JD Vance’s 'Indentured Servants' Remark On H-1B Workers Amid US Green Card Sponsorship Restrictions | Video
'Deeply offensive': India hits back at US Vice-President JD Vance for 'indentured labour' remark
"Unwarranted": India Slams Vance's "Indentured Servants" Remark On H-1B Hiring
India Slams Vance's 'Indentured Servants' Remark
'In Touch With US Side on Mutually Beneficial Trade Deal': MEA Amid Row Over JD Vance’s Remark on H-1B Workers
US PERM suspension: India slams US green card curbs, JD Vance's 'indentured servants' remark
