US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls For An End To "Indian H-1B Visas Replacing American Jobs"

US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene called for an end to "Indian H-1B visas replacing American jobs" in a recent post. This has sparked tensions among the Indian student and professional communities in the United States.

Tariffs On Indian Exports

Greene posted on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a repost of a call by the US President Donald Trump demanding higher tariffs on Indian exports due to New Delhi’s ongoing oil trade with Russia. Greene said, “End Indian H-1B visas replacing American jobs instead.” The timing of the statement amid escalating US-India trade tensions.

"Russian War Machine"

Trump, in his post, accused India of buying “massive amounts” of Russian oil and reselling much of it on the open market for “big profits.” He expressed that India does not care about the number of people killed in Ukraine by the “Russian War Machine.” In response to this, Trump threatened to “substantially” raise tariffs on Indian exports to the United States as a penalty for India’s continued Russian oil purchases. This comes after he imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods.

Visa Selection Process Overhaul

Greene’s comments follow a wider push within the Republican Party for reforms to the H-1B system. Joseph Edlow, the Trump administration’s newly appointed director of USCIS, recently told The New York Times that the visa selection process should be overhauled to favour applicants with higher wages and more experience.

“The test to become a US citizen is too easy,” Edlow added, arguing for a tougher naturalisation process and criticising the existing H-1B lottery system. A proposal from the Department of Homeland Security would shift selection criteria from random draw to salary-based prioritization, sparking fears that it may disadvantage early-career professionals.

What is an H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialised fields such as IT, engineering, finance, and healthcare. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), indian nationals make up the vast majority of H-1B recipients, accounting for nearly 70% of all approvals in the 2024 fiscal year.

What Does The H-1B Visa Represent For Indian Students?

For many Indian students, the H-1B visa represents the natural next step after graduating from a US university on an F-1 student visa and completing their Optional Practical Training (OPT). The programme is widely viewed as a gateway to long-term employment and, eventually, permanent residency.

According to the Financial Express, Edlow’s stance aligns with immigration hardliners within the Republican Party, including Vice President JD Vance, who recently criticised US firms for laying off local workers while hiring cheaper overseas labour. However, other Trump allies in the tech sector warn that the reforms could backfire.

Hiring Top International Graduates

Doug Rand, a former Biden official, called the changes “unwise,” arguing that the H-1B visa is the main route for hiring top international graduates of US universities. “Congress never allowed DHS to put its thumb on the scale based on salary,” he said.

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