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As the global tech landscape evolves, any shift in U.S. immigration policies will significantly impact both American and Indian interests
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Both nations may need to navigate these complexities to sustain the economic and technological collaboration that has flourished in recent years
As speculation rises over potential changes to U.S. immigration policies, industry insiders anticipate that a possible second term for former President Donald Trump could bring significant adjustments, especially impacting employment-based visas, , reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Experts forecast stricter policies targeting both unauthorized border crossings and legal work visa programs, which would reshape the landscape for skilled immigrants.
Indian IT firms, historically the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program, may face new hurdles. These companies have traditionally relied on non-immigrant visas to fulfill workforce needs in the U.S. However, as recent trends indicate, Indian tech giants have progressively reduced their reliance on H-1B visas by hiring more American workers, making their operations somewhat less vulnerable to abrupt policy changes. Nevertheless, a report from brokerage firm Nomura warns that India could face economic consequences if immigration policies become more restrictive. In the 2023 fiscal year alone, Indian professionals received over 72% of all H-1B visas issued, underscoring the critical role these visas play for Indian workers and firms alike.
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The Indian tech industry continues to be a vital player in U.S.-India relations, with Nasscom—the leading Indian tech trade association—emphasizing the sector’s positive economic impact on the U.S.
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Nasscom highlighted that Indian tech contributions add $80 billion annually to the U.S. GDP, underscoring the mutual benefits of a strong tech partnership
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Nasscom expressed its commitment to collaborating with any new U.S. administration to bolster this relationship
The Trump campaign has indicated its primary focus will be on curbing illegal immigration, yet it may also implement new restrictions for legal immigrants, including skilled workers and students. Recent measures, such as the steep increase in H-1B visa registration and application fees, point toward a tougher stance on professional visas, which many believe could intensify under a Trump-led administration. Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration law expert at Cornell Law School, expressed concerns about the potential setbacks for both legal and unauthorized immigrants. He noted that Trump’s previous administration tightened eligibility requirements, slowed processing times, and increased denial rates for H-1B visa applicants—a trend he expects could continue.
In addition to restrictions, policies might impose higher wages and increased fees for H-1B holders. Cyrus D. Mehta, managing partner of New York-based law firm Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners, anticipates that the administration could mandate contracts between IT firms and their clients when placing H-1B workers at client sites. He highlighted that a future administration could reduce the duration of H-1B visas to align with the length of specific contracts, creating new compliance complexities for the industry.
The policy outlook remains uncertain as diverse viewpoints influence the Trump administration’s stance. Vivek Wadhwa, CEO of Vionix Biosciences, pointed out that the internal debate between anti-immigration advocates and pro-skilled-immigration proponents could sway policy outcomes. Proponents like entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy may advocate for maintaining skilled immigration to support the U.S. economy, while others may push for greater restrictions.
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