India slams US Green Card : India has criticised the United States over its latest crackdown on employment-based immigration, after the Trump administration suspended Green Card-related labour certification applications involving several major technology companies, including leading Indian IT firms. The move, announced on October 8, 2026, has raised concerns about the future of Indian professionals seeking permanent residency in the US and added another challenge to India-US economic relations.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the decision does not advance the shared ambitions of the two countries, emphasising that the movement of skilled professionals benefits both economies. New Delhi also objected to remarks by US Vice President JD Vance describing foreign workers in terms that India considered unwarranted and deeply offensive. The government stressed that Indian professionals contribute significantly to the American economy, technological innovation and research ecosystem.
The development has drawn attention across the global technology industry because Indian professionals form an important part of the US workforce in information technology, software development, engineering and other specialised sectors. While the latest restrictions do not automatically invalidate existing H-1B visas, they could complicate the permanent residency process for eligible employees of the affected companies.
US Suspends Green Card Processing for Major Technology Companies
The US administration has suspended participation in the Permanent Labor Certification programme, commonly known as PERM, for several prominent technology and IT services companies. The affected firms include Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini.
Under the action announced by the US Department of Labor, the government will not accept new PERM applications or process pending applications involving the affected companies while concerns about alleged misuse and compliance violations are examined. US officials have argued that certain employers may have used foreign-worker recruitment programmes in ways that disadvantaged American workers.
The PERM programme is an important stage in many employer-sponsored employment-based Green Card applications. It generally requires an employer to demonstrate that there are not sufficient qualified, available US workers for the position and that employing a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed US workers.
The suspension therefore represents a significant development for companies that rely on international talent. Although the immediate restrictions concern a particular labour certification pathway rather than every US immigration category, the decision could disrupt the long-term residency plans of employees whose applications depend on the affected employers.
The US administration has presented the action as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration enforcement, protect domestic employment and investigate alleged violations of labour and visa rules. However, the implications for international recruitment, business operations and the movement of highly skilled professionals are likely to remain a major concern for the technology sector.
India Says Green Card Restrictions Do Not Benefit Both Countries
India has responded by defending the contribution of its professionals to the American economy and questioning the wider implications of the new restrictions. The Ministry of External Affairs said it was aware of the US decision and was following the developments closely.
According to the Indian government, talent mobility creates opportunities for Indian professionals while also providing American companies with access to specialised skills. Indian workers contribute to innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, helping businesses develop new technologies and expand their operations.
New Delhi argued that cooperation in the movement of skilled workers has created mutual economic benefits for both countries. Restricting these opportunities, it suggested, could undermine the shared interests that India and the US have developed through years of economic, educational and technological cooperation.
India’s response also highlights the importance of distinguishing between legitimate immigration enforcement and measures that could affect highly qualified professionals who comply with the applicable rules. The government has emphasised that Indian professionals should not be portrayed in a manner that overlooks their skills, contributions and role in supporting economic growth.
The disagreement comes at a time when immigration, trade and technology policies are important elements of the broader India-US relationship. Any prolonged uncertainty surrounding employment-based immigration could influence business confidence and the decisions of professionals considering opportunities in the American market.
India Objects to JD Vance’s Remarks on Foreign Workers
Alongside its objections to the Green Card restrictions, India has strongly criticised remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance about foreign professionals and employment-based immigration.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the characterisation of Indian professionals as unwarranted and deeply offensive. It argued that such descriptions ignore the contributions of highly educated and skilled Indian workers to the American economy and innovation ecosystem.
The Indian government also pointed to the historical role of immigrants in shaping the United States. Generations of immigrants have contributed to American industry, entrepreneurship, scientific research, technology and economic development. Indian professionals have become particularly prominent in the technology sector, where their expertise supports businesses ranging from emerging companies to major multinational corporations.
The diplomatic objection reflects India’s concern that broad criticism of foreign workers could damage the perception of Indian talent and weaken confidence among professionals seeking international career opportunities.
The remarks have also brought renewed attention to the debate over how the United States should balance domestic employment priorities with its reliance on skilled international workers. While the US government has argued that stricter enforcement is necessary to protect American employees, India maintains that foreign professionals can contribute to economic growth without being treated as a threat to the domestic workforce.
The disagreement is therefore not limited to immigration paperwork. It also concerns the recognition of skilled workers, the role of international talent in modern economies and the broader relationship between immigration policy and economic competitiveness.
How the Green Card Crackdown Could Affect Indian IT Professionals
The most immediate concern for Indian professionals working in the United States is the possibility of delays or interruptions in their employer-sponsored Green Card applications. For many skilled workers, permanent residency represents an important step towards long-term career stability, family security and greater flexibility in their professional lives.
The PERM process is commonly used by employers sponsoring workers under certain employment-based Green Card categories, including many applicants pursuing EB-2 and EB-3 residency pathways. The latest suspension could prevent eligible employees of the affected companies from moving forward with new labour certification applications or progressing through pending cases while the restrictions remain in place.
Indian nationals may be particularly concerned because employment-based immigration can involve lengthy waiting periods. Annual limits and country-based allocation rules have historically contributed to substantial Green Card backlogs for applicants born in India. An interruption at the labour certification stage could add another layer of uncertainty for workers who are already navigating a lengthy immigration process.
However, the impact will vary depending on an employee’s employer, immigration category, application stage and individual circumstances. Not every Indian professional working in the United States will be affected by the suspension, and the restrictions should not be interpreted as a blanket cancellation of Indian workers’ immigration status.
The distinction between temporary work authorisation and permanent residency is particularly important. Indian professionals should rely on official government guidance and qualified immigration advisers to understand how the policy applies to their specific cases.
Existing H-1B Visa Holders Are Not Automatically Affected
One of the most important clarifications from India’s government is that the PERM programme is separate from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, invalidate existing H-1B visas or automatically change the status of H-1B holders and their dependants.
The H-1B visa allows eligible US employers to employ foreign professionals in qualifying speciality occupations. A Green Card, by contrast, provides lawful permanent resident status. Although many H-1B workers eventually pursue permanent residency through employer sponsorship, the two processes serve different purposes and operate under separate rules.
For Indian technology professionals currently employed in the US, this distinction means that the latest announcement does not automatically require them to leave the country or stop working. Their continued ability to work and remain in the United States depends on their valid immigration status and the rules applicable to their circumstances.
Nevertheless, the suspension could create longer-term difficulties for employees who rely on their employers to sponsor permanent residency. Workers approaching relevant H-1B time limits, employees planning family or career decisions around a Green Card application, and professionals considering a change of employer may face additional uncertainty.
The situation also highlights the importance of maintaining valid immigration documentation and understanding the difference between temporary work visas and permanent residency applications. Employees should avoid assuming that a pending Green Card application guarantees permanent residence or that a change in one programme automatically changes another.
Why the US Is Tightening Employment-Based Immigration
The Trump administration has increasingly focused on immigration enforcement and the relationship between foreign-worker programmes and domestic employment. US officials have argued that certain employers may have used immigration pathways in ways that disadvantage American workers, including through hiring practices and alleged labour certification violations.
The PERM suspension is intended, according to the administration, to address concerns about possible misuse of the system. Authorities have said that investigations are necessary to establish whether the affected companies complied with applicable requirements.
At the centre of the debate is the question of whether employers are using international recruitment to fill genuine skill shortages or whether some practices are contributing to lower wages and reduced opportunities for American workers. The government has emphasised the need to protect domestic employment and strengthen oversight of immigration programmes.
Technology companies, however, operate in a global labour market where specialised expertise can be difficult to source in a single country. Software engineering, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science and enterprise technology are among the fields in which multinational companies recruit internationally.
The policy challenge is therefore complex. Stronger enforcement can help ensure compliance with labour laws, but restrictions that prevent legitimate employers from retaining skilled workers may also create unintended consequences. The eventual impact will depend on the findings of the investigations, the duration of the suspension and any subsequent policy changes.
Impact on Indian IT Companies and the Technology Industry
The suspension has placed several major Indian IT services companies under additional scrutiny in one of their most important international markets. The United States remains a significant destination for technology services, consulting, software development and digital transformation projects delivered by Indian firms.
Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Cognizant operate across international markets and use a combination of local hiring, global delivery centres and cross-border employee mobility to serve clients. Restrictions on one immigration pathway could affect workforce planning, employee retention and the movement of certain specialised professionals.
However, the immediate financial impact may differ significantly between companies. Reuters reported on October 9, 2026, that analysts saw limited immediate risk to Indian IT firms, partly because some companies have reduced their reliance on the PERM process and expanded local hiring in the United States. The report also noted concerns about longer-term uncertainty, talent retention and possible compliance costs. Read the Reuters report on the potential impact on Indian IT companies.
For businesses, the suspension may encourage a closer examination of recruitment strategies and immigration-related dependencies. Companies could consider increasing local hiring, strengthening their compliance processes, improving workforce forecasting and assessing how changes to immigration rules might affect client commitments.
These adjustments may help reduce exposure to sudden policy changes, but they could also involve higher recruitment, training and operational costs. Hiring more employees locally may reduce dependence on cross-border mobility, although it does not necessarily eliminate the need for specialised international talent.
For the wider industry, the development raises questions about the future of global technology delivery models. Indian IT companies have built their international presence around the ability to combine talent across locations. Policies that make employee mobility more difficult could influence how firms structure teams, allocate projects and plan long-term investments.
Could the Crackdown Affect India-US Trade and Technology Relations?
The Green Card dispute adds another point of tension to the broader India-US relationship, which includes cooperation in technology, defence, trade, education and investment. Both countries have benefited from business partnerships and the exchange of professionals, particularly in the technology sector.
Indian IT companies support American businesses across industries, including banking, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and financial services. Their services help organisations modernise digital infrastructure, develop software, manage data and implement emerging technologies. At the same time, US companies gain access to specialised talent and international markets through their relationships with Indian professionals and businesses.
India’s criticism suggests that immigration policy is not merely a domestic employment issue. Decisions affecting skilled workers can also influence business confidence, investment decisions and perceptions of the United States as a destination for international talent.
If uncertainty continues, some professionals may consider career opportunities in other countries, while companies may reassess where they locate particular functions and research activities. Such changes would not necessarily happen immediately, but prolonged uncertainty could influence long-term workforce and investment decisions.
The dispute also demonstrates the difficulty of maintaining strong economic partnerships when the two governments approach immigration and labour mobility from different perspectives. India has emphasised the mutual benefits of skilled migration, while the US administration has prioritised enforcement and the protection of American workers.
The future direction of the issue will depend on the outcome of the investigations, any revisions to the restrictions and discussions between the two governments. For now, the episode underlines the close connection between immigration policy and international economic cooperation.
What Indian Professionals Should Know About the New Restrictions
Indian professionals employed by the affected companies should distinguish between confirmed policy changes and speculation about their possible consequences. The suspension concerns a specific employer-sponsored labour certification process, and its implications depend on individual immigration circumstances.
Employees with pending Green Card applications should consult their employers’ immigration teams or qualified US immigration lawyers to determine whether their cases fall within the suspension. They should also seek clarification about whether any alternative options are available under the applicable immigration rules.
Professionals planning to move to the United States should review current visa requirements, employer sponsorship policies and the latest official guidance before making major career or relocation decisions. Those already working in the country should ensure that their work authorisation and other immigration documents remain valid.
It is equally important to avoid assuming that all Indian workers, all technology companies or every employment-based immigration category are covered by the restrictions. The announcement specifically targets PERM applications involving the named companies, and the scope of any subsequent changes should be verified through official updates.
Employers also have a role to play in communicating clearly with their workers. Timely information about pending applications, compliance requirements and possible next steps can help employees make informed decisions during a period of regulatory uncertainty.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on the US government’s investigations into the affected companies and whether the suspension remains in place, changes in scope or is followed by additional enforcement measures.
The results could have implications for employer-sponsored immigration procedures, recruitment practices and the ability of technology companies to retain international employees. Companies and workers will be watching for further guidance from the US Department of Labor and other relevant immigration authorities.
For India, the priority will be to protect the interests of its professionals while reinforcing the argument that skilled migration can benefit both countries. New Delhi’s response has made clear that it considers Indian professionals important contributors to American economic growth and innovation.
For the United States, the challenge will be to address concerns about labour market fairness and immigration compliance without unnecessarily undermining its access to international expertise. Technology businesses depend on skilled employees, and uncertainty over permanent residency can complicate workforce planning even when existing work visas remain valid.
Whether the dispute leads to a prolonged restriction or a revised approach to employer-sponsored immigration remains uncertain. However, the outcome will be closely watched by Indian IT companies, international professionals and businesses that rely on cross-border talent.
Conclusion
India’s criticism of the US Green Card crackdown highlights growing concerns about the future of skilled-worker immigration and the movement of Indian professionals to the United States. The suspension of PERM applications involving major technology companies, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Cognizant, could disrupt the permanent residency plans of eligible employees.
At the same time, the suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or affect every Indian professional working in the United States. The actual consequences will depend on the scope and duration of the restrictions, the progress of the government’s investigations and the circumstances of individual applicants.
For Indian IT companies, the development reinforces the importance of flexible workforce planning, regulatory compliance and diversified recruitment strategies. For the two governments, it presents another test of their ability to balance domestic priorities with the economic benefits of international cooperation.
As the situation develops, the technology industry and Indian professionals will be looking for greater clarity on the future of employment-based immigration and the prospects for a stable, mutually beneficial India-US partnership.
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