US PERM curbs: Vembu asks Indians to come back

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has called upon Indians working in the United States to return home and aid in building India's technology sector amidst recent US immigration curbs. Vembu lamented that despite their significant contributions to America's technological prowess, many in the US are now distancing themselves from Indians.

This plea follows the US administration's recent suspension of eight technology companies from the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) program, a critical stage in the employment-based Green Card process. The affected firms comprise major Indian IT powerhouses like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe.

Vembu emphasized that Indians currently residing in the US are facing a difficult situation, as they may have to uproot their lives they have built through hard work. He urged these individuals to view this period as an opportunity to contribute towards shaping India's future. The PERM suspension essentially freezes new and pending applications at these companies.

The PERM program is a labor certification process wherein employers typically need to complete it before sponsoring eligible foreign workers for permanent employment-based residency.

While this move has caused concerns among Indian professionals with long-term plans in the US, it does not cancel existing H-1B visas or alter the immigration status of those already holding H-1B visas and their dependents. The suspension could, however, impact the Green Card process for eligible employees of the aforementioned companies.

US Vice President JD Vance has criticized the use of foreign-worker programs, while the administration maintains that the action follows federal investigations into these companies. The suspension has reignited debates about the employment avenues availed by Indian technology professionals in the US. India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the VP's remarks describing foreign workers as "indentured servants" as deeply offensive and stressed that talent mobility benefits both nations.

They pointed out that Indian professionals contribute to research, productivity, competitiveness, and job creation in the US. The PERM suspension is being treated as distinct from the H-1B visa program.