The United States is preparing to deliver another major blow to India. Former President Donald Trump's Republican Party is soon to introduce a bill in Congress that could completely shut down the H-1B visa program.
Washington: The prospect of major changes to the H-1B visa program in the US has heightened concerns for millions of Indian professionals. Former President Donald Trump's Republican Party is now moving to introduce legislation aimed at phasing out this program. This proposal comes shortly after the US significantly increased H-1B visa fees, making the visa even more expensive and difficult to obtain for Indians.
Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she will soon introduce a bill in Congress aimed at gradually phasing out the H-1B program to prevent "mass displacement of American workers." She claims that American companies are using this visa to replace local employees with cheaper foreign workers.
Biggest Impact on Indian Professionals
For years, the H-1B program has been the primary pathway to American jobs for millions of professionals in India's IT, medical, engineering, and tech sectors. Indians account for over 70% of the H-1B visas issued annually. This is why the initiative to eliminate this program is considered a significant setback for India.
The H-1B visa is not just about employment; for many Indians, it is also a path to a US Green Card and future citizenship. Therefore, this proposal could profoundly impact both the aspirations and careers of the Indian workforce.
Greene's Allegation—"H-1B is Being Misused"
Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Big tech companies, the AI sector, hospitals, and various industries are abusing the H-1B system to displace their own American workers. It's time we end this corrupt program." She further added that the US has "the most talented people in the world" and believes American companies should not rely on foreign labor.
The bill proposed by Greene includes a policy to completely eliminate the H-1B program and prioritize American workers in key sectors such as technology, healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing. According to her, if we want the next generation to achieve the American Dream, we must stop replacing them and start investing in their development.
Temporary Exemption for Doctors and Nurses
However, the proposed bill includes some relief for the healthcare sector. According to Greene:
- An exemption of 10,000 visas per year will be granted for doctors and nurses in the medical field.
- This exemption will be phased out over 10 years.
- This period will be given to American healthcare systems to "develop their local medical workforce."
This indicates that the US also plans to reduce its reliance on foreign medical personnel in the future.
