JD Vance Defends H-1B Visa Policy, Says He Loves His Indian In-Laws Amid ‘Indentured Servants’ Row

US Vice-President JD Vance has sought to clarify his controversial description of H-1B visa workers as “foreign indentured servants”, saying he loves his Indian in-laws and believes the American immigration system must balance welcoming foreign professionals with protecting domestic workers.

Vance made the remarks on Sunday amid a debate over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the suspension of several companies, including major Indian IT firms, from filing applications under the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), an important step towards obtaining a US green card.

Acknowledging the controversy, Vance said his “rhetoric may have been imperfect” while defending the need to ensure that American companies do not unfairly replace existing employees with foreign workers.

‘I Love My Indian In-Laws’: Vance Clarifies Remarks

Responding to questions about his earlier comments, Vance referred to his wife Usha Vance’s family, whose parents immigrated to the United States from South India.

“You know where my family comes from, and I love my mother-in-law and father-in-law who immigrated from South India,” he said, adding that their daughter, who was born in the United States, is now the Second Lady.

Vance said he was proud of his wife and loved her, while arguing that the US should welcome people who want to contribute to the country.

However, he maintained that immigration policies must also account for the interests of American workers.

Vance Calls For Balance In US Immigration System

Vance argued that companies should not be allowed to use foreign-worker recruitment to replace existing American employees unfairly.

He cited a hypothetical example of a large corporation claiming it could not find a suitable accountant within its existing labour pool while dismissing an accountant already on its payroll.

According to Vance, such a situation would be unfair to American workers and would not necessarily benefit the immigrant being hired either.

He said the United States could welcome foreign professionals while ensuring that employment opportunities for domestic workers were protected.

Vance reiterated that the immigration system needed to strike an appropriate balance between these competing priorities.

Indian IT Firms Among Companies Affected By PERM Suspension

Earlier this month, the Donald Trump administration announced the suspension of several companies from the PERM programme, including Microsoft, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL and Capgemini.

The programme allows eligible employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency after meeting specified labour-certification requirements. It is generally an important stage in the employment-based green card process.

Announcing the suspension, Vance had urged American companies to prioritise domestic hiring. He argued that businesses should not bring in foreign workers when qualified Americans could perform the same jobs.

The move has added to concerns among Indian technology professionals and companies with operations in the United States.

India Condemns ‘Indentured Servants’ Remark

Earlier India had faulted Vance for calling Indian and other foreign professionals as “indentured servants” which was, in its opinion, unwarranted and deeply offensive.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India's professionals in the United States were well-educated and highly-skilled contributors to the country's economy and innovation system.

New Delhi also voiced concern that the limitations on green card applications of the large Indian IT firms were at odds with the common aspirations of India and the United States.

Vance’s latest clarification comes amid continuing debate over the impact of US immigration policies on foreign professionals, American employment and the technology sector.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

[email protected]

Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

Read More