The recent crackdown by the Trump administration to impose restrictions on H-1B visas is focussed towards checking illegal immigration to the US and is not targeted towards Indian tech firms, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“Suspending of the premium processing process is not a significant impediment. We will continue to remain engaged with US authorities in this regard. Illegal immigration and not H-1B is their priority. We have also seen the President of US making reference to a merit-based approach on the subject. What we have conveyed to the US side in addition is that H-1B is a trade and business issue, an economy issue,” Gopal Baglay, Spokesperson, MEA, said here on Thursday.

Effective April 3, the US will impose a temporary ban on speedy processing of H-1B visas, or the H-1B Visa Premium Processing Service. This service allowed American firms to obtain faster processing of an H-1B visa in order to meet their needs on hiring a foreign worker through the programme.

He said the matter came up prominently during the talks between the US and India when Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia visited Washington last week for official level talks with senior officials in the Trump administration.

“It has been our view that the presence of skilled Indian professionals is a positive for the US economy as well, particularly when the US seeks to build a stronger economy. We believe that the plans of the US Administration for the US economy present an opportunity for the two countries to further consolidate their strong economic partnership,” Baglay added.

Security issue According to Baglay, the security of Indians and persons of Indian origin is a matter of serious concern for the government.

“Given the high priority the government attaches to the security and well being of Indians and persons of Indian origin abroad, we will continue to remain strongly engaged with the concerned authorities wherever required,” he said.

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