New Delhi: In its first official reaction to President Donald Trump’s decision impose a staggering $100,000 (over Rs 88 lakh) annual fee on H-1B visas, the Indian government said on Saturday that its implications are being studied, but such a measure could have “humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families.”
The government hoped that such disruptions can be “addressed suitably” by the US authorities.
A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said that the “government has seen reports related to the proposed restrictions on the US H1B visa program. The full implications of the measure are being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry, which has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H1B program.”
Pointing out that India and the US both have a stake in “innovation and creativity”, the government suggested the two sides “can be expected to consult on the best path forward.”
Check out the full statement:
In the latest effort to crack down on immigration, Trump on Friday signed a proclamation that raises the fee for H1-B visas to $100,000 annually — up from $1,000 to $5,000.
India will be hit the hardest as it accounts for 71% of H-1B visa holders. Around 3 lakh high-skilled Indians are currently on H-1B visas in the US, a majority of them working in the technology industry.
Also Read: Trump’s H-1B Visa Announcement Sparks Chaos At Airports; Indians Struggle To Return To US
While signing the order, Trump said that abuse of the H-1B programme is a national security threat.
“The H-1B non-immigrant visa programme was created to bring temporary workers into the United States to perform additive, high-skilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labour,” Trump said in the proclamation.
“The abuse of the H-1B programme is also a national security threat. Domestic law enforcement agencies have identified and investigated H-1B-reliant outsourcing companies for engaging in visa fraud, conspiracy to launder money… and other illicit activities to encourage foreign workers to come to the United States,” the President said, arguing that higher fees were necessary to curb its misuse, while still allowing firms to hire the most skilled temporary foreign workers.