Trump’s Green-Card Curbs Will ‘Deeply Harm America’, Says Shri Thanedar

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has criticised the Trump administration’s suspension of eight technology companies from a key employment-based green-card process, warning that politically motivated restrictions could damage American innovation and competitiveness.

In a post on X on Friday, the House Homeland Security Committee member defended the contribution of H-1B professionals and urged Washington to tackle immigration fraud through existing laws.

“As a proud immigrant and a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I strongly disagree with the Trump Administration’s decision to suspend the ability for H-1B visa holders who work for major tech companies to apply for Green Cards,” Thanedar said.

His remarks concern the suspension of companies from the Permanent Labor Certification programme, known as PERM. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the action is distinct from the H-1B programme and does not, by itself, invalidate existing visas or alter the status of holders and their dependents.

THANEDAR SEEKS HIGHER GREEN-CARD LIMITS

Thanedar said skilled foreign professionals played an important role in sustaining America’s economic leadership.

“H-1B workers are highly skilled workers who make incredible contributions to America, and this program is a key way our country continues to be the world’s leader in economic innovation,” he said.

He called for an increase in the green-card cap and greater funding to train American workers for technology jobs, alongside enforcement against fraud and abuse.

“If the President truly wants to combat fraud and increase economic innovation, he should use existing laws to curb fraud and abuse, increase the Green Card cap, and increase funding to train American workers in the tech sector,” Thanedar said.

He warned that politically driven decisions affecting these programmes would “deeply harm America” and weaken technology companies’ ability to compete and respond to China’s growing influence.

EIGHT COMPANIES FACE PERM SUSPENSION

US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the suspensions on Thursday, citing multiple active federal investigations.

The companies named were Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini.

Sonderling said the Labour Department would neither accept new PERM applications nor process pending applications involving the companies.

The announcement followed Vice President JD Vance’s allegations of widespread abuse of the H-1B programme. Vance accused companies of replacing American employees with foreign workers and singled out Microsoft over its layoffs and use of immigration programmes.

INDIA DISTINGUISHES WORK VISAS FROM PERMANENT RESIDENCY

At a media briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the suspension could affect eligible employees’ permanent-residency applications, while stressing that existing H-1B status was a separate matter.

“The suspension of PERM application does not by itself affect the validity of H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents,” he said.

However, “there could be some impact on the permanent residency or green card process of eligible employees of the affected companies”, Jaiswal added.

Responding to Vance’s remarks, Jaiswal said comments that failed to recognise Indian professionals’ contribution to the US economy were unwarranted.

“Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,” he said.

The ministry argued that skilled-worker mobility benefits both countries through innovation, research, productivity and job creation.

“While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness, and job creation,” Jaiswal said.

“The steps announced by the US do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries,” he added.

With inputs from ANI