India has expressed strong disapproval of a recent decision by the United States to halt certain Green Card application processes for several major technology companies. The Indian government argues that this move undermines the shared economic goals of both nations. This development affects companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe, and Capgemini, all of which rely on the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program to facilitate employment-based permanent residency for foreign workers in the U.S.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India highlighted the mutual benefits derived from the movement of skilled professionals, citing their contributions to innovation, research, and job creation as crucial to both economies. The ministry further emphasized that Indian professionals play a significant role in the U.S. technology sector and overall economy.
In addition to the suspension of PERM applications, India took issue with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s comments, which referred to foreign professionals as “indentured servants.” The Indian government found this terminology offensive, arguing that it diminishes the qualifications and economic contributions of Indian workers and carries negative historical connotations.
The suspension does not impact the validity of existing H-1B visas or the immigration status of current H-1B visa holders and their families, according to the Indian ministry. Nonetheless, employees of the affected companies may experience delays or disruptions in their Green Card processes, leading to additional uncertainty.
The decision has further strained trade and immigration relations between India and the United States. Indian tech firms have long relied on U.S. skilled-worker visa programs to deploy professionals, while American companies benefit from having access to international talent.
The new restrictions on Green Card processing could complicate the permanent residency plans of affected employees and add to the challenges faced by companies that depend on highly skilled foreign workers to sustain their operations in the U.S.