Indiaspora warns of economic risks from US H-1B visa curbs

The non-profit organization Indiaspora has cautioned that targeting H-1B visa holders could pose serious economic risks to the United States. The group expressed concern regarding political efforts to demonize Indian-origin professionals who are vital to the technology, healthcare, and education sectors.

Indiaspora highlighted several proposed regulatory measures that could impact foreign talent, including petition fees exceeding USD 100,000 for certain employers and the replacement of the randomized lottery system with a wage-weighted mechanism. Other flagged proposals include scrapping the 60-day grace period for laid-off workers, freezing H-4 spousal work permits, and imposing significant fees on Optional Practical Training and STEM extensions.

Executive Director Sanjeev Joshipura stated that H-1B workers from India have helped establish America as an innovation leader. The organization warned that driving these professionals away could harm communities nationwide, particularly in under-resourced areas where foreign professionals fill critical workforce gaps in medicine and teaching.