Reforming H-1B Visa Program: VivekRamaswamy’s Pledge

Current Affairs, International Relations

Indian-American Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy vows to overhaul the H-1B visa program. The H-1B visa, highly sought-after among Indian IT professionals, permits US companies to employ foreign workers for specialized roles requiring theoretical or technical expertise.

Why in the news?

  • Indian professionals in the US employ the H-1B visa category, which is highly sought after because many use it as a stepping stone to permanent residency.
  • However, the waiting times for Indians to receive an employment-based green card might last for decades.
  • Over 9 lakh non-immigrant visas have already been processed by the US embassy in India, and the number will surpass one million.

Understanding H-1B Visa Program

  • The H-1B visa program is designed to make it easier for qualified foreign workers to enter the country and work for American businesses.
  • Indian IT experts are particularly interested in it since it enables American businesses to hire overseas labour for specialized positions requiring theoretical or technical competence.
  • Despite being well-liked, the H-1B visa program is criticized for having lengthy waiting times and using a lottery system to pick applicants.

Ramaswamy’s Perspective

  • Ramaswamy acknowledged his own experience as an immigrant and argued that the H-1B system is bad for all parties involved.
  • He argued for a merit-based admittance procedure to replace the lottery system, portraying the lottery as a type of indentured slavery that largely benefited sponsoring firms.
  • Eliminating Chain Migration: He also stressed the importance of doing away with chain migration, noting that relatives accompanying immigrants do not make merit-based contributions to the nation.

Historical Context and Comparisons

  • Similarities to Trump: Ramaswamy’s position on H-1B visas has similarities to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
  • Hard position: Trump first took a hardline stance on these employees despite employing foreign workers on H-1B visas for his enterprises. However, he later softened his rhetoric.

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