RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.499
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2017
ISSUE OF H-1B AND L1 VISA WITH USA
499. SHRI N. GOKULAKRISHNAN:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Congress of United States of America (USA) had not passed any Bills that could put curbs on issuing H-1B visas to Indian IT professionals;
(b) whether it is also a fact that there was no sword hanging over Indians employed under H-1B or L1 visa categories;
(c) whether Government is conducting a dialogue with the USA at a very high level regarding this issue; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) Yes.
(b) In the current (115th) Congress, the following six Bills relating to H-1B and L-1 visa programmes have been introduced by individual congressmen and senators.
i. The "Protect and Grow American Jobs Act” introduced by Congressman Darrell Issa on 5 January 2017.
ii. The "H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2017” introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin on 20 January 2017.
iii. The "High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017” introduced by US Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren on 24 January 2017.
iv. The "H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2017” introduced by Congressmen Bill Pascrell Jr. on 2 March 2017.
v. The "American Jobs First Act of 2017” introduced by Congressman Mo Brooks on 28 April 2017.
vi. The "Stopping Trained in America Ph.Ds. From Leaving the Economy (STAPLE) Act of 2017” introduced by Congressmen Erik Paulsen and Mike Quigley on 25 May 2017.
The above Bills seek to amend the various provisions relating to the grant of H-1B and L-1 visas. However, so far none of these bills have been passed and no comprehensive policy changes have been made.
(c) & (d) The Government of India remains closely engaged with the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Administration on this issue. There is positive recognition in the US of the contributions made by Indian skilled professionals to the growth and development of the
U.S. economy as well as in helping the U.S. retain its competitive edge and innovation advantage.
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