India slams US over H1-B visa characterizations after American political leadership described skilled foreign tech professionals as indentured servants in recent immigration policy debates. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a stern statement after US Vice President JD Vance accused major technology corporations of misusing the H-1B visa framework and PERM green card labor certifications to displace domestic workers.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal formally rejected the characterization of foreign workers as indentured servants, calling the phrase deeply offensive and carrying painful colonial connotations while completely ignoring the high educational qualifications and innovation contributions of Indian professionals.

Are Existing H1-B Visas Still Valid in the US?

H1-B visa holders remain unaffected by recent PERM processing restrictions, as the Indian government clarified that the US Department of Labor’s pause on Permanent Labor Certification access for select global corporations impacts green card sponsorship pathways. Existing H1-B visas, worker status, and dependent authorizations remain valid despite administrative processing delays affecting employment-based permanent residency applications.

Official communications from New Delhi highlighted that cross-border technology movement drives mutual economic value and fuels innovation ecosystems in both countries. Indian officials noted that immigration policies penalizing high-skilled workers fail to advance shared ambitions, urging American policymakers to maintain fair standards for global professionals who strengthen key corporate sectors.

Diplomatic dialogues will focus on clarifying employment-based green card processing while ensuring Indian IT firms and professionals retain reliable access to international talent markets without facing regulatory disruptions or derogatory political rhetoric.