Stories
India-US Relations Strain Over Visa Curbs and Trade Stalls
- •The United States suspended eight major tech companies, including Microsoft, TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification program.
- •The move threatens the green card process for thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders and sparked strong concerns from the Ministry of External Affairs.
- •US Vice President JD Vance triggered outrage by referring to foreign workers as indentured labor, a comment labeled offensive and unwarranted by India.
- •Trade negotiations between the two nations have reached a plateau, with officials on both sides confirming that a deal is not imminent.
- •The Department of Homeland Security also proposed steep fees for F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training to curb cheap labor.
Key Questions Answered
The US suspended eight technology companies from the Permanent Labour Certification program on October 8, including Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Capgemini, and four Indian firms: Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, and HCLTech.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the PERM suspension does not invalidate existing H-1B visas or affect the legal status of current visa holders and their dependents. However, it could create some impact on the green card or permanent residency process for eligible employees.
The US Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule to implement a $70,000 fee for F-1 non-immigrant students participating in Optional Practical Training, along with an additional $30,000 fee, aimed at reducing cheap labor flow.
