India says US move to suspend tech firms from Green Card programme does not advance shared ambitions

The Ministry of External Affairs MEA on Friday criticised the United States governments decision to suspend several major technology companies from the Permanent Labour Certification PERM programme saying the move could affect the Green Card process for eligible employees and does not advance the shared ambitions of the two countriesThe US administration has suspended eight technology and outsourcing companies including Cognizant Infosys Tata Consultancy Services TCS Wipro HCL Capgemini Microsoft and Adobe from the programme amid federal investigations into alleged misuse of employmentbased immigration processesMEA clarifies impact on H1B visa holdersThe ministry said the PERM programme which forms part of the employmentbased Green Card process is distinct from the H1B visa programmeWe are aware of the US Department of Labourrsquos decision concerning the Permanent Labour Certification PERM programme for certain companies It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H1B visa programme The suspension of PERM applications does not by itself affect the validity of existing H1B visas or the status of H1B visa holders and their dependents though there could be some impact on the permanentresidencyGreen Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies the ministry statedIndia highlights benefits of talent mobilityThe MEA said the movement of skilled professionals benefits both countries by supporting innovation research productivity and job creationIt should also be clear that talent mobility adds value to both economies While it creates opportunities for Indians it equally helps US companies with cuttingedge talent innovation research productivity competitiveness and job creation besides creating shareholder wealth in the US This is therefore an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries and our expectation is that all stakeholders in this process can appreciate this fact The steps announced by the US do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries the ministry statedMEA objects to Vances lsquoindentured servantsrsquo remarkThe ministry also criticised US Vice President JD Vances description of H1B workers as indentured servants saying the phrase carried offensive historical and colonial connotationsWe have also seen some comments in this context by the US Vice President We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem Indeed the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensiveVance alleges misuse of visa programmesSpeaking at a news conference on Thursday Vance alleged that companies were using foreign workers to undercut the wages of American employees He claimed H1B workers earned less than US citizens in comparable roles and accused outsourcing firms of contributing to the problemUS cites investigations into technology firmsUS Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said the companies had collectively sought millions of foreign workers over the years and received hundreds of thousands of H1B approvals and permanent labour certificationsThe US administration said the suspensions followed ongoing federal investigations The action affects the PERM process and does not automatically cancel existing H1B visas although eligible employees may face delays in pursuing permanent residencyWith inputs from ANI