Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
International

India Convey Concern Over H1B Visa To US

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Jan, 2017 12:04 PM
    India on Tuesday said it has conveyed its concern to the US over a bill being introduced in the Congress to change rules on H1B visas which is likely to impact the Indian IT industry and Indian techies working in the US.
     
    "India's interests and concerns have been conveyed both to the US administration and the US Congress at senior levels," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
     
    The High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017, introduced in House of Representatives by California Congressman Zoe Lofgren, calls for doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 from the current minimum wage of $60,000 - a move that could impact Indian techies.
     
    The bill, likely to be signed by President Donald Trump, would make it difficult for firms to use the programme to replace American employees with foreign workers, including from India, with lower wages.
     
     
    As Trump was preparing to issue executive orders on H1B, the draft of the order was leaked and published by some news websites on Monday.
     
    As per the leaked draft order, Trump would reverse his predecessor Barack Obama's extension of the duration of the optional practical training work visas, which allowed foreign students to stay in the US a bit longer after completion of their studies.
     
    The bill would require that employers first offer a vacant position to an equally or better qualified American worker before seeking an H1B or L-1 visa holder.
     
    It would also establish wage requirements for L-1 workers and improve H1B wage requirements to encourage companies to hire qualified American workers and prevent them from using foreign workers as a source of cheap labour.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Police Suspect Richmond, B.C., Man's Death Targeted Homicide

    RICHMOND, B.C. — RCMP say they're investigating the death of a man who was taken to a Richmond, B.C., hospital Friday night.

    Police Suspect Richmond, B.C., Man's Death Targeted Homicide

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore
    S. Chandran, 35, owner of Paradize Consultancy, was charged on Friday and faced 58 charges under the Income Tax Act, the Strait Times reported. 

    Indian-Origin Magician Charged With Fraud In Singapore

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order
    The Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his election campaign, announced its backing for the Presidents executive order on immigration.

    Republican Hindu Coalition Backs Donald Trump's Immigration Order

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other
    A harder line by Trump to stem the huge trade surplus with China and correct Beijing's unequal terms of trade will provide India with an opportunity to fill the void by exporting more manufactured goods, Kumar told IANS.

    Trump's 'Buy American', Modi's 'Make In India' Can Together Boost Each Other

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report
    Amid enhanced security measures and immigration restrictions placed by the Trump administration, a Baroda-based businessman has been taken into custody at an airport in the State of North Dakota.

    Indian Man Held In US Over Bomb Threat, Sushma Swaraj Seeks Report

    Nobel Peace Winner Malala Yousafzai 'Heartbroken' By Donald Trump's Order On Refugees

    "I am heartbroken that America is turning its back on a proud history of welcoming refugees and immigrants," she said.

    Nobel Peace Winner Malala Yousafzai 'Heartbroken' By Donald Trump's Order On Refugees