Washington, March 20 (IANS) The H-1B visa programme, a key route for Indian professionals to work in the United States, came under fresh scrutiny in Congress this week as lawmakers debated reforms to support economic growth and address labour shortages in an ageing workforce.At a US Congress Joint Economic Committee hearing, policymakers and experts questioned whether the current lottery-based system is fit for purpose, with proposals ranging from wage-based selection to greater worker mobility….
Latest H-1B visa program News & Updates
Washington, March 4 (IANS) A top Republican senator raised concerns over alleged abuse of employment-based visa programmes, including the H-1B system and Optional Practical Training (OPT), prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm that it is reviewing the student work programme.During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Senator Eric Schmitt argued that the H-1B visa programme was increasingly being misused in ways that could disadvantage American workers.“For t…
Washington, Feb 10 (IANS) A Republican lawmaker introduced legislation to end the H-1B visa program, arguing that it disadvantages American workers and prioritizes foreign labor over US citizens.US Representative Greg Steube announced the introduction of the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, known as the EXILE Act.The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by discontinuing the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupat…
Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) Rhetoric and policy uncertainty around the H-1B visa programme risk damaging India-US relations and undermining confidence among skilled workers and businesses at a sensitive moment in bilateral ties, a senior US lawmaker has warned.Mark Warner, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, told IANS in an exclusive interview that recent announcements targeting the H-1B programme had created confusion and anxiety, particularly am…
Washington, Jan 28 (IANS) Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered an immediate freeze on new H-1B visa petitions by all Texas state agencies and public universities, directing a statewide review of what his office described as possible abuse of the federal visa program.In a letter to educational institutions and organizations, Abbott said the move was necessary to ensure that jobs funded by Texas taxpayers are filled by Texans first. “The economy of Texas should work for the benefit of T…
Washington, Jan 22 (IANS) A new US rule, which changes how H-1B work visas are chosen, could bring strong economic gains over the next 10 years, according to a government watchdog, but may be taking effect faster than the law allows.The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Department of Homeland Security’s new H-1B selection rule is expected to deliver economic benefits of more than $20 billion between 2026 and 2035. The rule is estimated to cost about $303 million to implement over…
Washington, Dec 27 (IANS) An Indian American advocacy group warned this week that online posts targeting the community could lead to real-world harm as it urged social media platforms and law enforcement agencies to intervene before tensions escalate.The Indian American Advocacy Council (IAAC) said in a series of public statements that recent online rhetoric crossed the line from political debate into incitement, putting members of the community at risk.“This is not ‘politics’ or ‘edgy s…