NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday expressed worry over the tightening of the visa regime in the United States following President Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American' policy and said it would effectively raise the issue at the "2 plus 2 dialogue" to be held here in September.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj instructed the Rajya Sabha that there has now not been any aid in the selection of H-1B visas to Indians to this point, as "no vital adjustments" in the visa regime have taken place but.
Responding to queries from members all through Question Hour, the minister mentioned the government has taken up the problem with the United States authorities at more than a few bilateral meetings and fora and likewise raised it with a number of US Congressmen.
"This is a matter of concern now not only for the government and the opposition, but all of the House and the country shares this worry," she instructed the members.
Swaraj mentioned "the danger is looming massive" as the strengthening of the United States visa regime could lead to aid in the selection of H1-B visas and the foundations could also be made more stricter.
She mentioned to ensure that this doesn't occur, the government is making efforts and speaking to the White House, the State Administration and the Congressmen.
"We have already raised the problem at our formal interactions.
"I assure you that the '2 plus 2 dialogue' which is to be held in Delhi on September 6, in which the External Affairs and Defence ministers of both countries will participate, we will certainly and forcefully raise this issue during that too," Swaraj instructed the members.
She mentioned she has taken up the problem all through her assembly with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in addition to US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, whilst the Finance Minister had raised the matter with US Finance Secretary.
"The Government has decided to continue our engagement with the US side proactively," she mentioned.
In her written answer, Swaraj mentioned this process used to be nonetheless underway and "no comprehensive changes have been made to the work-visa programme so far".
"I would like to state that so far there is no significant change with regard to H-1B Visas. Changes have taken place, but no significant changes are there so far," she mentioned.
Disclosing details, the minister mentioned the selection of H-1B visas have long gone up from over 1.08 lakh in 2014 to 1.29 lakh visas now.
Citing legitimate figures, she mentioned whilst in 2014, a complete selection of 1,08,817 H-1B visas have been issued, a complete of 1,19,992 such visas have been issued the following yr.
"In our engagements, now we have emphasized to the United States side that the mopvement of Indian skilled pros to the United States has been a mutually-beneficial partnership which will have to be nurtured.
"They have contributed to the growth and construction of the United States financial system and feature helped the United States retain its complete edge and innovation advantage," she mentioned.
Swaraj mentioned first came the 'Buy American, Hire American' coverage memorandum, then they mentioned that the contract and itinerary might be handed over on the time of submitting a petition (for visa).
Thereafter, a notification came wherein the documents supplied on the first opportunity can be taken into account and visa could be denied on the foundation of unique documents submitted.
"The US Administration has taken some steps towards stricter enforcement of the sector visa programmes," she mentioned, including that these include hanging the weight on the petitioner to reveal that the beneficiary is hired in a third-party worksite for a selected assignment in a speciality career.
Listing out the stairs taken towards stricter enforcement of labor visas, she mentioned these include making use of the same level of scrutiny to both unique petitions and extension requests, issue of memos by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by more than one H-1B filings.
The Minister additionally mentioned that full discretion has been given to USCIS adjudicators to deny an application or petition with out prior submitting of a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) in certain cases on the foundation of preliminary evidence.
"Some of those measures would necessitate further documents on the part of the petitioner or applicant," she mentioned.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj instructed the Rajya Sabha that there has now not been any aid in the selection of H-1B visas to Indians to this point, as "no vital adjustments" in the visa regime have taken place but.
Responding to queries from members all through Question Hour, the minister mentioned the government has taken up the problem with the United States authorities at more than a few bilateral meetings and fora and likewise raised it with a number of US Congressmen.
"This is a matter of concern now not only for the government and the opposition, but all of the House and the country shares this worry," she instructed the members.
Swaraj mentioned "the danger is looming massive" as the strengthening of the United States visa regime could lead to aid in the selection of H1-B visas and the foundations could also be made more stricter.
She mentioned to ensure that this doesn't occur, the government is making efforts and speaking to the White House, the State Administration and the Congressmen.
"We have already raised the problem at our formal interactions.
"I assure you that the '2 plus 2 dialogue' which is to be held in Delhi on September 6, in which the External Affairs and Defence ministers of both countries will participate, we will certainly and forcefully raise this issue during that too," Swaraj instructed the members.
She mentioned she has taken up the problem all through her assembly with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in addition to US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, whilst the Finance Minister had raised the matter with US Finance Secretary.
"The Government has decided to continue our engagement with the US side proactively," she mentioned.
In her written answer, Swaraj mentioned this process used to be nonetheless underway and "no comprehensive changes have been made to the work-visa programme so far".
"I would like to state that so far there is no significant change with regard to H-1B Visas. Changes have taken place, but no significant changes are there so far," she mentioned.
Disclosing details, the minister mentioned the selection of H-1B visas have long gone up from over 1.08 lakh in 2014 to 1.29 lakh visas now.
Citing legitimate figures, she mentioned whilst in 2014, a complete selection of 1,08,817 H-1B visas have been issued, a complete of 1,19,992 such visas have been issued the following yr.
"In our engagements, now we have emphasized to the United States side that the mopvement of Indian skilled pros to the United States has been a mutually-beneficial partnership which will have to be nurtured.
"They have contributed to the growth and construction of the United States financial system and feature helped the United States retain its complete edge and innovation advantage," she mentioned.
Swaraj mentioned first came the 'Buy American, Hire American' coverage memorandum, then they mentioned that the contract and itinerary might be handed over on the time of submitting a petition (for visa).
Thereafter, a notification came wherein the documents supplied on the first opportunity can be taken into account and visa could be denied on the foundation of unique documents submitted.
"The US Administration has taken some steps towards stricter enforcement of the sector visa programmes," she mentioned, including that these include hanging the weight on the petitioner to reveal that the beneficiary is hired in a third-party worksite for a selected assignment in a speciality career.
Listing out the stairs taken towards stricter enforcement of labor visas, she mentioned these include making use of the same level of scrutiny to both unique petitions and extension requests, issue of memos by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by more than one H-1B filings.
The Minister additionally mentioned that full discretion has been given to USCIS adjudicators to deny an application or petition with out prior submitting of a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) in certain cases on the foundation of preliminary evidence.
"Some of those measures would necessitate further documents on the part of the petitioner or applicant," she mentioned.
India to raise H-1B visa issue at '2 plus 2' dialogue
![India to raise H-1B visa issue at '2 plus 2' dialogue]()
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July 26, 2018
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