India’s tech giants shrug off changes to USA’s skilled visa program
As Microsoft denies alleged ‘fraud and abuse’ that sparked the tweaks
NASSCOM, India's leading technology industry body, has dismissed recent changes to the USA's skilled visa program, while Microsoft has denied accusations of abusing the system. The US vice president, JD Vance, and Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling announced on Thursday that the PERM program, which allows holders of the H-1B visa for skilled workers to convert to permanent residents, is no longer available to Microsoft, Adobe, and Indian companies like Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini.
Sonderling claimed this decision was made in response to criminal investigations and allegations of "fraud and abuse," stating that these companies had requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009, received over 230,000 H-1B visa approvals, and obtained more than 100,000 permanent labor certifications. Vice President Vance criticized Microsoft, saying the company must hire American workers and not replace them with foreign labor.
Microsoft defended its use of the H-1B visa, stating it only files petitions for those meeting strict standards and pays its employees among the highest in the tech sector. The company also emphasized its commitment to developing the world's best technology workforce by hiring American workers and attracting global talent. NASSCOM and Indian politicians have defended the use of H-1B visas, arguing they promote technological advancement, innovation, economic growth, and job creation in both India and the United States.
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