The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed its commitment to enhancing dialogue with the United States on H-1B visa policies and related issues, as Donald Trump returns to the White House with his immigration policies.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the importance of mobility and migration as part of the bilateral relationship between India and the U.S.
MEA Addresses Concerns Over H-1B Visa
JaiswalRandhir highlighted that the mobility of professionals, migration partnership, and educational exchange are vital aspects of India-U.S. ties.
“As far as H-1B is concerned, mobility and migration partnership is a part of the bilateral relations between our two countries,” said Randhir, noting the significant number of Indian professionals working in the U.S. and Indian students pursuing studies there.
He emphasized that these connections contribute to a broader investment partnership.
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, concerns are mounting over potential restrictive immigration policies, particularly regarding H-1B and L-1 visas, which are widely used by Indian IT professionals and skilled workers.
A recent report by JM Financial indicated that Donald Trump’s previous stance on employment-based immigration may resurface, bringing about renewed scrutiny and higher denial rates for these visas.
During Donald Trump’s first term, his executive order “Buy American and Hire American” led to increased restrictions on H-1B visas, raising initial denial rates for H-1B visas from 4% to 17% and L-1 visa denials from 12% to 28%.
Impact on Indian IT Professionals
If similar policies are reintroduced, they could impact IT services firms, which heavily depend on these visas to source talent from India.
The Trump administration previously attempted to raise minimum wage requirements for H-1B visa holders, which would have made it costlier for employers to hire foreign talent.
Although courts blocked these wage policies, their reintroduction could strain tech firms relying on foreign workers for specialized skills.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s intent to pursue constructive dialogue with the U.S. on H-1B policies, highlighting how stronger ties benefit both nations, especially in technology.
“We would like to have a good dialogue with them on all these issues,” Randhir said, adding, “Our relations have become stronger”.
The MEA’s proactive approach to addressing H-1B visa concerns reflects India’s commitment to maintaining robust bilateral relations with the U.S.
As the tech and IT sectors closely watch for new policies that could reshape the landscape for skilled foreign workers in the United States, the MEA’s efforts to foster dialogue and collaboration will be crucial in navigating potential challenges.
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