1 hr ago
Nasscom separates US PERM freeze from H-1B mobility
The United States has temporarily stopped eight technology companies from using a programme that can help workers get green cards.
The programme is called PERM.
US officials said the companies had requested many foreign workers and argued that this affected jobs for Americans.
Nasscom, an Indian technology industry group, said PERM and H-1B visas are different things.
H-1B visas let US employers hire skilled workers for certain jobs, while PERM can help employers sponsor workers for permanent residency.
Nasscom said Indian technology companies have become less reliant on H-1B visas and are hiring more people locally in the US.
The article says the suspension applies to new applications and pending PERM applications involving the companies.
The US temporarily suspended eight technology companies from filing or processing applications under the PERM programme.
The companies named include Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.
US officials said the companies had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009.
Nasscom said the PERM route to permanent residency is distinct from skilled-worker mobility through H-1B visas.
Nasscom said Indian technology companies have reduced reliance on H-1B visas and expanded local hiring in the US.
- Who
- The US Department of Labor suspended eight technology companies from the PERM programme; Nasscom commented on the decision.
- What
- The companies were barred temporarily from filing new PERM applications, and their pending applications would not be processed.
- Where
- The United States.
- When
- The announcement was reported as occurring on Thursday, October 8; the year is not specified.
- Why
- US officials said hiring foreign workers had kept American workers from getting jobs; Nasscom said PERM and skilled-worker mobility should be treated as distinct issues.
Nasscom and industry position
US officials' position
Effect of foreign-worker hiring
Nasscom and industry position
Nasscom said H-1B visas have helped US companies fill short-term skilled-worker gaps and that Indian technology firms are expanding local hiring.
US officials' position
US officials argued that the companies' foreign-worker hiring had kept American workers from getting jobs.
Relationship between PERM and H-1B
Nasscom and industry position
Nasscom said the PERM route to permanent residency should not be conflated with skilled talent mobility through H-1B visas.
US officials' position
The US announcement linked the companies' foreign-worker hiring practices to the decision to suspend their PERM participation.
Key facts
- Programme affected
- Permanent Labour Certification (PERM), a step employers use to sponsor eligible foreign workers for permanent residency.
- Companies named
- Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.
- US officials' estimate
- The companies collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009.
- H-1B approvals
- The companies had received more than 230,000 H-1B visa approvals, according to Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling.
- PERM certifications
- The companies had received more than 100,000 permanent labour certifications, according to Sonderling.
- Nasscom's position
- Immigration pathways to permanent residency and skilled talent mobility are distinct issues.
- Application impact
- The Department of Labor said it would not accept new applications or process pending PERM applications involving the companies.
Quotes
Nasscom
Indian information technology industry association
“While the decision affects a specific immigration pathway, Nasscom has consistently maintained that immigration and skilled talent mobility are two distinct issues that should not be viewed through the same lens.”
financialexpress.com
“However, over the past few years, Indian technology companies have significantly reduced their dependence on H-1B visas, while steadily expanding local hiring and building a strong domestic workforce in the US.”
financialexpress.com
Keith Sonderling
US Labour Secretary
“I am hereby suspending from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme some of the largest IT outsourcing firms in the world, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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