India conveys ‘concerns' to US about Trump's proposed visa law

The new legislation aims at lessening the gap between wages being paid to American workers as compared to foreign workers, and would discourage outsourcing.

India on Tuesday convey its 'interests and concerns' to the United States' administration over the newly proposed legislation on H-1B visa, which has been introduced in the US House of Representatives.

The legislation, called the High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017, will make it difficult for American firms to hire foreign workers, including IT professionals from India.

Speaking to ANI, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "India's interests and concerns have been conveyed both to the US administration and US Congress at senior levels."

The legislation proposes doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 (approximately Rs 88 lakh). This would lessen the gap between wages being paid to American workers as compared to foreign workers, and would discourage outsourcing.

[What you need to know about new legislation on H-1B visa]

California Congressman Zoe Lofgren,who introduced the bill, said his legislation would help create jobs in America and not replace them.

These proposed measures have triggered speculation among Indian IT companies as India receives highest H-1B visas issued worldwide.

OneIndia News