India Hits Back at US Over ‘Offensive’ H-1B Remarks and Residency Freeze
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned US Vice President JD Vance on October 9, 2026, for describing H-1B visa holders as “indentured servants” during a news conference. The official diplomatic pushback addresses growing uncertainty among international technology professionals, foreign outsourcing firms, and corporate employers operating across the United States.
PERM Suspension Threatens Green Card Timelines Without Revoking Existing Visas
The US Department of Labor’s suspension of the Permanent Labor Certification program for select foreign companies limits permanent residency processing for eligible employees without altering active H-1B visas or legal status for workers and their dependants. US Vice President JD Vance argued that foreign outsourcing companies hire overseas workers to reduce labor costs and replace domestic staff, claiming H-1B visa holders earn $20,000 less than American citizens in comparable positions, while workers placed by foreign outsourcing firms earn $48,000 less. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Indian professionals contribute directly to American technological innovation, research, and job creation, adding that using language tied to colonial legacies is deeply offensive.
The diplomatic friction follows a decision by US labor authorities to suspend major technology firms, including Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from the PERM labor certification pipeline.
