'Deeply offensive': India slams JD Vance's 'indentured servants' remark on H-1B visa holders
PTC News Desk: India has criticised US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks about foreign workers amid the suspension of Green Card applications under the US Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme, describing his comments as “unwarranted”.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the movement of skilled professionals benefits both India and the United States. It noted that Indian professionals contribute to US companies through their expertise, innovation, research, productivity and competitiveness, while also supporting job creation and shareholder wealth.
“This is therefore an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries,” the ministry said, adding that the measures announced by the US do not support the shared goals of both nations.
The response came after the US suspended eight IT companies—Microsoft, Tata, Wipro, Infosys, Adobe, Cognizant, HCL and Capgemini—from participating in the PERM programme. The programme is an important step in the employer-sponsored Green Card process. US authorities said the practice could prevent American workers from getting jobs.
What India said
India clarified that the PERM programme is separate from the H-1B visa system. It also said the suspension of PERM applications does not automatically affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the immigration status of visa holders and their dependents.
However, the move could delay or affect the Green Card process for eligible employees of the companies involved, the ministry said.
India also criticised Vance’s description of foreign workers, saying his remarks overlooked the contributions of highly educated and skilled Indian professionals to the US economy and innovation sector.
What JD Vance said
Vance criticised Microsoft over its hiring of foreign workers and the suspension of its participation in the PERM programme. He argued that the company should prioritise American workers instead of hiring foreign employees.
The US Vice President referred to Microsoft’s reported layoffs of 6,000 American workers over the past year, while claiming that the company had benefited from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 Green Cards during the same period.
Vance argued that these figures showed the company was replacing American workers with foreign employees, whom he controversially described as “foreign indentured servants”.
His remarks have drawn a strong response from India, which maintains that skilled-worker mobility benefits both countries and supports economic growth, innovation and employment.
- PTC NEWS
