Politics · United States · 6 hrs ago
Vance says H-1B remark targeted employers, not foreign workers
At a CBS News town hall, JD Vance said his H-1B wording was imperfect after describing foreign professionals on the visas as “indentured servants.”
He said his criticism was aimed at employers and the visa system, not the workers themselves.
Vance argued that workers can be vulnerable because their right to stay in the US is tied to their jobs.
India’s external affairs ministry had called his wording deeply offensive and said Indian professionals contribute to the US economy and innovation.
The dispute comes amid a US administration suspension of several companies, including Indian IT firms, from a programme that begins the process of seeking a green card.
Vance said US immigration policy should balance welcoming foreign workers with protecting American workers; no further action was specified.
JD Vance said his “indentured servants” remark was aimed at employers and the H-1B visa system, not foreign workers.
At a CBS News town hall, he acknowledged that his rhetoric had been imperfect and took responsibility for his choice of words.
Vance said workers’ visas can tie their ability to remain in the United States to their jobs, giving employers excessive power.
India’s external affairs ministry had called the description unwarranted and deeply offensive.
Vance called for balancing respect for foreign workers with protecting American workers and interests.
- Who
- US Vice President JD Vance. India’s external affairs ministry also objected to his earlier wording.
- What
- Vance clarified that his criticism was of companies and the H-1B visa system, not visa holders.
- When
- Saturday, according to The Times of India; Hindustan Times reported the clarification on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- At a CBS News town hall. The sources do not state the town hall’s location.
- Why
- Vance said workers’ immigration status can depend on their employment, giving employers too much power. He said the system should also protect American workers.
JD Vance
India’s external affairs ministry
Aspect
JD Vance
Vance said his criticism targeted employers and the visa system, which can make workers vulnerable because their status depends on their jobs.
India’s external affairs ministry
The ministry called the description unwarranted and deeply offensive, saying it ignored Indian professionals’ contributions to the US economy and innovation.
Aspect
JD Vance
Vance argued that immigration policy should balance welcoming foreign workers with protecting American workers.
India’s external affairs ministry
The ministry said talent mobility benefits both countries by giving Indian professionals opportunities and helping US companies access skilled workers.
The Trump administration announced the suspension of several firms from the Permanent Labor Certification Program.
Vance addressed his H-1B remark at a CBS News town hall and said his rhetoric had been imperfect.
The Times of India and Hindustan Times published accounts of Vance’s clarification.
- Clarification
- Vance said his criticism was aimed at employers and the visa system, not H-1B workers.
- Town hall
- CBS News
- Program
- Permanent Labor Certification Program, or PERM
- Suspended companies
- Microsoft, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini
- India’s response
- The external affairs ministry called the description unwarranted and deeply offensive
3 sources
‘My rhetoric has been imperfect’: JD Vance walks back H-1B ‘indentured servants’ remark after India’s pro
'My rhetoric was imperfect’: Vance walks back ‘indentured servants’ remark on H-1B workers
‘Love my Indian in-laws’: Vance clarifies ‘indentured servants’ remark amid H-1B row; says his ‘rhetoric may have been imperfect’ | India News
What people are saying
I would say, and to the extent that my rhetoric has been imperfect here, that's on me,
I do think that we can strike that balance in the right way. I think that our immigration system has to balance,
Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,
Posts on X
Indian-American: You called H-1B workers “indentured servants”. Why are you scapegoating immigrants? VP JD Vance: You know where my family comes from. I love my in-laws who immigrated here from South India. We should welcome people who contribute but we need a balanced system