Congress attacks Modi government over Trump’s H-1B visa fee extension

Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of appeasing US President Donald Trump after Trump extended for another 12 months a requirement for a $100,000 payment on certain H-1B visa petitions. The White House also announced tighter scrutiny of H-1B applications, directing agencies to consider layoffs of American workers when reviewing petitions.

Congress media chief Pawan Khera said the move would hit Indian IT firms, tech professionals and students. He listed possible consequences: harder entry for Indian students into the US workforce, fewer sponsorships from small firms, a talent drain to the UK, Canada and Australia, and lower remittances to India. Khera posted, "Modi bent over backwards to appease Trump. Trump got the appeasement. India took the humiliation and the hit."

Trump's proclamation said the 2025 measure had already caused a 92% drop in H-1B registrations by large IT outsourcing firms. Indians are the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries. The White House defended the measures as steps to protect American workers and prevent undercutting of US labour.