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.