Trump's return sparks renewed debate on H-1B visas, targeting Indian talent
H-1B visas, a long-contentious issue in American labor and immigration policy. The debate has drawn fresh attention, particularly towards Sriram Krishnan, an India-born venture capitalist and newly appointed senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence in Trump's camp. Critics accuse Krishnan and similar figures of prioritizing immigration policies that allegedly displace American workers.
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The criticisms against H-1B visas primarily hinge on three points:
- Perception of Cheap Labor: Critics argue that H-1B workers undercut wages for Americans. However, official data contradicts this narrative. Employers are mandated to pay H-1B holders either the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to comparable U.S. workers. In 2023, the average annual H-1B salary for computer-related occupations was $132,000, with a median of $122,000.
- Job Displacement Concerns: Some claim H-1B immigrants, particularly Indians, dominate American jobs. Yet, in FY 2024, only 7,299 H-1B petitions were approved for Indian-based companies, representing a mere 0.004% of the U.S. civilian workforce. The annual H-1B cap accounts for just 0.05% of the U.S. labor force.
- Administrative «Infiltration»: Critics also allege that Indian-origin professionals are influencing U.S. policies to favor their own. However, Indian IT firms have significantly reduced their reliance on H-1B visas, cutting usage by 56% between 2015 and 2023.
Shifting H-1B trends
The H-1B visa process, already a complex route for companies
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