Thu Jan 23 00:04:57 IST 2025: ## Nasscom Rejects H-1B Visa Concerns Amidst Trump’s New Policies

**New Delhi, January 23, 2025** – Nasscom, India’s apex industry body, has dismissed concerns regarding the impact of President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders on H-1B visas. Nasscom Vice President Shivendra Singh asserted that H-1B visas are crucial for filling critical skills gaps in the U.S. technology sector and are not intrinsically linked to immigration issues. He emphasized that the visas represent a “trade issue,” not an immigration one.

Singh refuted several common misconceptions surrounding H-1B visas, stating that they do not represent cheap labor, displace American workers, or depress U.S. salaries. He highlighted the significant investments Indian IT companies have made in upskilling the U.S. workforce, citing $1.1 billion invested and over 255,000 employees upskilled.

Despite President Trump’s ending of birthright citizenship and threats of tariffs against BRICS nations, Singh expressed optimism about the future of the Indian IT industry’s relationship with the U.S. He pointed to the Trump administration’s commitment to technology investment, including a planned $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure, as a sign of continued opportunities for collaboration.

Singh acknowledged the potential impact of the new policies on H-1B visa holders’ families, particularly regarding birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S., but reiterated that immigration policy remains the sole purview of the U.S. government. He emphasized the continued high demand for Indian tech professionals, evidenced by the fact that 70% of H-1B visas go to Indian nationals.

While acknowledging the importance of diversification into other markets, Singh maintained that the U.S. will remain a vital market for the Indian IT industry, and that H-1B visas will continue to play a significant role in bridging the U.S.’s skills gap. He concluded that Nasscom sees no reason to be pessimistic about the industry’s future growth prospects.

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