H1B: Envoy says US is still land of immigrants
‘America First’ and ‘Make in India’ not incompatible, says ambassador to India Kenneth Juster
NEW DELHI: There could be some refinements in the visa processes in the United State but that will not change the fundamental fact that the US is a country of immigrants, US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said on Thursday, allaying apprehensions about the possibility of change in the H-1B visa regime that could affect around 750,000 Indian H-1B visa holders.
Juster added that India has the opportunity of becoming a preferred destination for US companies, over China, and that there is no contradiction between the Trump administration’s America First policy and the Narendra Modi government’s Make in India campaign.
Juster made the remarks in his first interaction with the media in India after assuming office. He sought to allay fears that proposed changes in the US visa policies would be to the major disadvantage of Indian skilled workers: “The US is a country of immigrants and that’s what helped drive our economy and our growth and made us what we are. And that’s not going to change,” said the envoy. He added that Washington was in the midst of a periodic review of visa processes.
“Inevitably there are going to be some refinements but that will not change the fundamental fact that the US is a country of immigrants,” he said.
Juster pointed out the clarification issued by the US administration about H-1B visa holders to buttress his point.
The Trump administration had earlier proposed changing a rule that allowed H-1B visa holders to stay on in the US, after the six years allowed under the visa, if their residency application is being processed. This process has a huge backlog, which means visa holders whose residency papers are being processed do not have to worry about being sent back. On Monday, the US clarified that it had dropped plans to change the rule.
Speaking about America First and Make in India, Juster said investing in each other’s markets would be beneficial to the two countries. “It will increase our economic interactions and volume of trade, lead to collaboration on emerging technologies and create jobs in both countries,” he added. Many US corporations are downgrading their operations in China, Juster said.
“A number of US companies have reported increasing difficulties conducting business in the largest market in the region — China.”
The US is a country of immigrants and that’s what helped drive our economy and our growth and made us what we are. And that’s not going to change.
KENNETH JUSTER, US ambassador