59 mins ago
India Criticizes US PERM Freeze and Vance’s Remarks
The United States paused certain green-card-related applications from several large technology companies.
India said this could slow permanent-residency applications for some Indian workers.
India also stressed that the pause does not automatically cancel current H-1B visas or change the status of their holders and families.
India said workers moving between countries can help both economies.
It objected to comments by US Vice President JD Vance about foreign workers and Indian professionals.
US officials said the pause targets alleged misuse of the system and is meant to protect American workers.
The two governments’ statements show they disagree about the policy and the language used to defend it.
India said the US suspension of PERM applications for named companies does not advance shared ambitions and may affect eligible employees’ green-card processes.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the suspension does not by itself change existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders and dependents.
India argued that skilled-worker mobility benefits both countries through talent, innovation, research, productivity and job creation.
India called Vice President JD Vance’s descriptions of Indian professionals unwarranted and his terminology deeply offensive.
US Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the department would stop accepting new and processing pending PERM applications involving the companies; Vance argued the action protects American workers.
- Who
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the US Department of Labor, and US Vice President JD Vance; affected companies include Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant and Capgemini.
- What
- India criticized the suspension of certain companies’ PERM applications and condemned Vance’s remarks about the issue.
- Where
- The decision concerns US employment-based permanent-residency applications and Indian professionals working in the United States.
- When
- India issued its statement on Friday, October 9; the US suspension was announced on Thursday.
- Why
- The US administration said it was acting against alleged misuse of the system and to protect American workers; India said skilled-worker mobility benefits both countries.
India’s position
US administration’s position
PERM suspension
India’s position
India said the decision does not advance the countries’ shared ambitions and could affect eligible workers’ green-card processes.
US administration’s position
The administration said it would halt new and pending applications involving the companies as part of action against alleged misuse of the system.
Foreign-worker mobility
India’s position
India said skilled Indian professionals contribute to US innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, benefiting both economies.
US administration’s position
Vance argued that foreign-worker programmes can be misused and said the action should encourage companies to hire American workers.
Vance’s remarks
India’s position
India called his descriptions of Indian professionals unwarranted and said the terminology used was deeply offensive.
US administration’s position
Vance defended the administration’s action, saying the H-1B programme brings foreign workers to the US and PERM provides a route to permanent residency.
Key facts
- Programme
- Permanent Labor Certification (PERM), an early step in many employment-based green-card processes.
- Companies named
- Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant and Capgemini.
- US action
- The Department of Labor said it would accept no new PERM applications and would not process pending applications involving the named companies.
- H-1B status
- India said the suspension does not by itself affect existing H-1B visa validity or the status of holders and their dependents.
- Possible effect
- Eligible employees of affected companies could face an impact or delay in their permanent-residency process.
- US officials
- Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the suspension; JD Vance defended the administration’s action.
- India’s response
- The MEA said talent mobility benefits both economies and called Vance’s descriptions unwarranted and deeply offensive.
Quotes
India’s Ministry of External Affairs
The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs.
“Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive.”
financialexpress.com
“The steps announced by the US do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries.”
financialexpress.com
telegraphindia.com
Keith Sonderling
US labor secretary.
“We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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