A bunch of lawmakers led by US Consultant Jimmy Panetta has written to President Donald Trump, searching for reconsideration of his current order on H-1B visas, warning that the transfer might pressure India–US relations and weaken America’s technological edge.
In a letter despatched on Thursday, Panetta and 4 different Congress lawmakers—Ami Bera, Salud Carbajal, Derek Tran and Julie Johnson—requested the administration to increase the H-1B visa programme as an alternative of limiting it. No Republican lawmakers joined the enchantment.
Panetta mentioned the H-1B programme has lengthy been a key cause behind America’s management in technological innovation and is required now greater than ever with the fast rise of synthetic intelligence. He added that about 75 per cent of H-1B visa holders come from India, and that the system shouldn’t be restricted to solely those that can afford excessive prices.
He mentioned the lawmakers need the administration to protect and strengthen the H-1B programme in order that the USA stays aggressive within the twenty first century.
H-1B described as cornerstone of US innovation
The lawmakers described the H-1B programme as a cornerstone of American competitiveness in science, expertise, engineering and arithmetic. They argued that professionals on H-1B visas contribute to innovation, patent era and new enterprise formation whereas complementing American employees reasonably than changing them.
“A lot of America’s most profitable firms had been based or led by former H-1B holders who drive new companies, job creation, and preserve the USA on the forefront of technological progress,” the letter learn.
The members added that Indian-Individuals and different H-1B holders have strengthened native economies and civic establishments throughout the USA. “Indian-Individuals and different H-1B holders additionally comprise a thriving constituency in every of our districts, enhancing our native economies, contributing to our educational and civic establishments, and strengthening our communities,” it mentioned.
They urged the administration to protect and increase the visa programme with the intention to “strengthen America’s technological management, create jobs for American employees, and safeguard nationwide safety.”
Florida publicizes ban on H-1B hiring
The letter got here a day after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis introduced a ban on hiring H-1B visa holders throughout state universities. In line with an IANS report, talking at a press convention on the College of South Florida, DeSantis mentioned the choice was meant to make sure that Florida residents are “first in line for job alternatives”
Earlier, US Division of Homeland Safety issued recent steering on the proposed 100,000 greenback H-1B utility payment, granting exemptions to sure candidates. The rules specify that employees transitioning from different visa classes resembling F-1 scholar standing is not going to be required to pay the brand new payment.
The White Home reiterated that President Trump’s precedence in reforming the H-1B system is to position “American employees first.” The administration’s visa insurance policies have already drawn authorized challenges, together with lawsuits filed by the US Chamber of Commerce and different enterprise teams.
Earlier appeals over India-US insurance policies
This isn’t the primary time that members of Congress have raised issues concerning the administration’s insurance policies towards India. On October 8, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Congresswoman Deborah Ross led 19 lawmakers in urging president to restore what they described as a “strained” relationship with India and to reverse tariff hikes on Indian items.
In that letter, the lawmakers mentioned that the choice to boost import duties to 50 per cent had harmed each American customers and producers and risked pushing India nearer to China and Russia. “The USA and India share democratic traditions that set us other than our authoritarian rivals. Our partnership demonstrates to the world that free and open societies can prosper by means of cooperation and mutual respect,” they wrote.
The members famous that India’s rising position as a stabilising drive within the Indo-Pacific and as a member of the Quad underscores the necessity for nearer engagement.
