The MEA has objected to JD Vance’s remarks as the dispute over Indian professionals and US immigration intensifies. (Img: X)
New Delhi: India on Friday strongly criticised the US suspension of eight major technology and outsourcing companies from the Green Card sponsorship process, calling American Vice President JD Vance’s remarks about foreign workers deeply offensive.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) objected to the US administration’s decision to suspend certain companies from the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme. The ministry also criticised the language used by Vance while discussing foreign workers and employment-based immigration.
India said skilled professionals from the country are highly educated and contribute significantly to the US economy, research, technology and innovation. It argued that the movement of international talent benefits both countries by supporting productivity, competitiveness, job creation and business growth.
The MEA further said that the latest US measures did not advance the shared ambitions of India and the United States. The statement came amid increased scrutiny of employment-based immigration programmes and the role of foreign workers in the American labour market.
The decision raised concerns among Indian IT professionals seeking permanent residency in America, although the MEA clarified that the suspension did not automatically affect existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders and dependents.
Vance has accused some companies of using the H-1B visa system to bring in foreign workers at lower wages and replace American employees. He argued that certain outsourcing firms could be using international recruitment to cut labour costs and gain a competitive advantage.
The MEA rejected the characterisation of Indian professionals in this debate, saying such descriptions overlook their skills and economic contributions. India also highlighted the role immigrants have played in the growth of the United States through enterprise, labour and innovation.
The ministry took particular exception to terminology carrying painful historical and colonial associations, describing it as deeply offensive.
The dispute reflects a wider debate in the US over immigration, outsourcing, wage competition and the protection of domestic jobs. While the US administration has presented its actions as part of efforts to protect American workers and investigate possible programme abuse, India has stressed the importance of recognising the mutual economic benefits of skilled migration.
The US Department of Labor has suspended eight major technology and outsourcing companies from the PERM programme amid active federal investigations. The companies named include Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe.
PERM stands for Permanent Labor Certification. It is an important step in the employment-based Green Card process for many foreign workers. Employers generally need labour certification for certain employment-based immigration categories before proceeding with the relevant immigration petition.
The process is intended to establish that there are insufficient qualified, available and willing US workers for the position and that employing a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed American workers.
The suspension could complicate Green Card sponsorship for eligible employees of the affected companies. However, the precise consequences will depend on the scope and duration of the restrictions, the stage of each application and the immigration category involved.
The existence of federal investigations does not, by itself, establish that every company named has violated immigration rules or that every previous visa approval was improper.
## Will Existing H-1B Visa Holders Be Affected?
The MEA has clarified that PERM and H-1B are separate programmes. The suspension of PERM applications does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or change the legal status of H-1B workers and their dependents.
The H-1B programme allows eligible US employers to hire foreign professionals for qualifying specialty occupations. The PERM process, meanwhile, is a labour-certification stage in many employment-based Green Card applications.
For Indian professionals already working in the US on valid H-1B status, the PERM suspension alone does not mean their visas have been cancelled or that they must leave the country.
The concern is primarily about permanent residency. Employees whose employers are affected could face delays or uncertainty in starting or progressing through the Green Card process. This may complicate long-term decisions involving family settlement, career progression and continued employment in the US.
Individual circumstances matter, and workers should distinguish between their current immigration status and a pending or planned permanent residency application.
## US Raises Questions Over Millions of Foreign-Worker Requests
US Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling has defended the move as part of the administration’s efforts to investigate possible misuse of employment-based immigration programmes.
Sonderling said the companies identified by the department had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009. He also cited more than 230,000 H-1B visa approvals and over 100,000 permanent labour certifications associated with the companies.
The administration has argued that the scale of foreign-worker recruitment warrants closer scrutiny, particularly amid concerns that some employers may be using overseas labour to reduce costs or displace American workers.
These figures represent the US government’s stated rationale for increased scrutiny. They should not be interpreted as proof that all the companies named have committed violations or that every visa approval and labour certification was improper.
The outcome of the investigations could have implications for the technology industry, which relies on skilled professionals in software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, engineering, data science and other specialised fields.
## US Immigration Measures Put Indian Students and IT Workers on Alert
The PERM suspension comes amid broader US scrutiny of pathways used by international students and skilled foreign professionals.
A day before the announcement, the US Department of Homeland Security proposed new fees for F-1 international students seeking to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT). The programme allows eligible international students to gain practical work experience related to their fields of study, subject to applicable rules.
The US administration has presented these measures as efforts to protect American workers and strengthen the integrity of the immigration system.
For Indian students and professionals, the developments have raised questions about the cost, accessibility and predictability of employment opportunities in the US. India remains an important source of skilled technology workers for American businesses, while Indian IT companies operate extensively across the US market.
Prolonged restrictions could affect employee retention, workforce planning and the long-term career choices of professionals hoping to settle permanently in America. The actual impact will depend on how the investigations progress and whether the restrictions are changed or lifted.
TCS has indicated that the suspension will not disrupt its long-term client commitments or US hiring plans, while highlighting its focus on recruiting local talent.
## India Says Skilled Talent Benefits Both Countries
The MEA has argued that talent mobility creates economic value for both India and the United States. Indian professionals gain international career opportunities, while American companies gain access to specialised expertise that can support research, innovation, productivity and competitiveness.
The ministry also highlighted the links between skilled immigration, job creation and business growth in the US economy. Its position is that international professionals contribute to the success of American companies rather than benefiting only their countries of origin.
The latest disagreement highlights the competing priorities shaping the US immigration debate: protecting domestic employment while ensuring businesses can recruit the skills they need to remain competitive.
For Indian IT workers, the immediate concern is whether the restrictions will delay permanent residency applications and affect future career plans. For companies, the focus will be on understanding the scope of the suspensions, responding to investigations and maintaining operations.
The MEA has said it will continue to monitor developments. For now, the key distinction remains that the PERM suspension does not automatically invalidate existing H-1B visas, even though eligible employees at affected companies could face uncertainty over their Green Card applications.
