US President Donald Trump awarded Satya Nadella the National Medal of Technology and Innovation on Thursday (Oct 8). The same day, his administration suspended Microsoft from a programme that helps foreign employees obtain permanent US residency. Seven other technology companies are affected, and Indian professionals are asking how far the action reaches.<h2>What does the suspension mean?</h2>&nbsp;The suspension covers PERM, the labour-certification process, and does not automatically cancel existing work authorisation. Immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown distinguishes it from a blanket H-1B ban. Temporary work permission and permanent residency are separate, and workers must still meet the conditions of their current status.&nbsp;<h2>What are the implications?</h2>&nbsp;The eight companies are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini. Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said the department would neither accept new PERM applications nor process pending ones involving them, citing active federal investigations. PERM requires employers to show that qualified US workers are unavailable and that hiring a foreign worker will not harm comparable US workers' wages. Certification does not itself grant a green card.&nbsp;<h2>Gauging the risk</h2>&nbsp;Employees nearing the six-year H-1B limit. Extensions beyond it can depend on how long a labour-certification application or immigrant petition has been filed; State Department guidance describes one-year extensions after 365 days. Previously certified PERMs and approved I-140 petitions were not automatically revoked. The law firm advises assessing one's immigration stage and deadlines before making career decisions, including job changes.&nbsp;<h2>Did Microsoft replaced American workers?</h2>&nbsp;Not on their own. Vice President JD Vance said Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards. Microsoft says about 80% of its roughly 6,000 H-1B filings last fiscal year were extensions or status changes for existing employees. It says the remaining filings involved people already in the US, about 1% of its US workforce, and disputes underpaying H-1B workers. Layoffs, visa filings and green-card approvals are different measures, and the allegations remain under investigation.&nbsp;Nasscom says Indian technology firms have expanded US hiring and reduced H-1B reliance, and that few employees move from H-1B to permanent residency through PERM. This is the industry body's assessment, and it gives no count of workers with pending applications caught by the freeze. Historical totals since 2009 cannot answer that either.

The US Department of Labor has suspended PERM green card processing for Microsoft, TCS, Infosys, and five other tech giants. Here is what the suspension means for foreign employees on H-1B visas.

US President Donald Trump awarded Satya Nadella the National Medal of Technology and Innovation on Thursday (Oct 8). The same day, his administration suspended Microsoft from a programme that helps foreign employees obtain permanent US residency. Seven other technology companies are affected, and Indian professionals are asking how far the action reaches. What does the suspension mean? The suspension covers PERM, the labour-certification process, and does not automatically cancel existing work authorisation. Immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown distinguishes it from a blanket H-1B ban. Temporary work permission and permanent residency are separate, and workers must still meet the conditions of their current status. What are the implications? The eight companies are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini. Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said the department would neither accept new PERM applications nor process pending ones involving them, citing active federal investigations. PERM requires employers to show that qualified US workers are unavailable and that hiring a foreign worker will not harm comparable US workers' wages. Certification does not itself grant a green card. Gauging the risk Employees nearing the six-year H-1B limit. Extensions beyond it can depend on how long a labour-certification application or immigrant petition has been filed; State Department guidance describes one-year extensions after 365 days. Previously certified PERMs and approved I-140 petitions were not automatically revoked. The law firm advises assessing one's immigration stage and deadlines before making career decisions, including job changes. Did Microsoft replaced American workers? Not on their own. Vice President JD Vance said Microsoft laid off 6,000 American workers while benefiting from 6,300 H-1B visas and nearly 3,000 green cards. Microsoft says about 80% of its roughly 6,000 H-1B filings last fiscal year were extensions or status changes for existing employees. It says the remaining filings involved people already in the US, about 1% of its US workforce, and disputes underpaying H-1B workers. Layoffs, visa filings and green-card approvals are different measures, and the allegations remain under investigation. Nasscom says Indian technology firms have expanded US hiring and reduced H-1B reliance, and that few employees move from H-1B to permanent residency through PERM. This is the industry body's assessment, and it gives no count of workers with pending applications caught by the freeze. Historical totals since 2009 cannot answer that either.

The US Department of Labor has suspended PERM green card processing for Microsoft, TCS, Infosys, and five other tech giants. Here is what the suspension means for foreign employees on H-1B visas.

US freezes Microsoft and tech giants’ PERM processing: What it means for Indian workers

India on Friday (Oct 9) hit back at US Vice President JD Vance for his comments on H1B visa holders. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) &nbsp;in a statement said, "Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive".&nbsp;"Such descriptions are unwarranted,' said the MEA further on Vance's &nbsp;"indentured labour" comments for H1B visa holders.&nbsp;The statement further said, "It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, though there could be some impact on the permanent-residency/Green Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies.&nbsp;The MEA statement highlighted that the visa does not only creates opportunities for Indians, "it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US."&nbsp;The MEA also brought to light how "the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity."&nbsp;“We have also seen some comments in this context by the US Vice President. We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem. Indeed, the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity. Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,” read the MEA statement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)  in a statement said, "Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive".

India on Friday (Oct 9) hit back at US Vice President JD Vance for his comments on H1B visa holders. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said, "Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive". "Such descriptions are unwarranted,' said the MEA further on Vance's "indentured labour" comments for H1B visa holders. The statement further said, "It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, though there could be some impact on the permanent-residency/Green Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies. The MEA statement highlighted that the visa does not only creates opportunities for Indians, "it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US." The MEA also brought to light how "the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity." “We have also seen some comments in this context by the US Vice President. We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem. Indeed, the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity. Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,” read the MEA statement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) &nbsp;in a statement said, "Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive".

'Talent mobility adds value to both economies': India reacts to Vance's comments on H1B visa holders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC, made a big announcement for the H1B visa holders.

Giving relief to the professionals, he said that now people will not have to travel abroad to renew their work visas.

"America's new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.

The big move came after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden and was part of a people-to-people initiative.

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The US authorities released a statement saying that they will introduce &nbsp;'in-country' renewable H-1B visas as part of the people-to-people initiative to smoothen the process of H-1B visa renewal for several Indians who are working in the US on an H-1B visa.&nbsp;

<h2>India to open new consulate in Seattle&nbsp;</h2>

India is all set to open a new consulate in Seattle this year. Apart from this, Indian Consulates will be opened in two&nbsp;more cities in America.

"Together we are not just forming policies and agreements, we are shaping 
lives, dreams and destinies," said PM Modi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/right-time-to-invest-grow-with-india-pm-modi-tells-top-american-ceos-608050">‘Right time to invest, grow with India,’ PM Modi tells top American CEOs</a>

This move came after both countries welcomed an announcement by the US Department of State of launching a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year.

"The leaders welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of State that it would launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals, with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool of H1B and L visa holders in 2024 and eventually broadening the programme to include other eligible categories," the India-US joint statement said.

While acknowledging the important steps taken to augment the processing of visa applications, the leaders noted in the joint statement, "the pressing need to further expedite this process". The leaders also directed officials to identify additional mechanisms to facilitate travel for business, tourism, and professional and technical exchanges between the two countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC, made a big announcement for the H1B visa holders. Giving relief to the professionals, he said that now people will not have to travel abroad to renew their work visas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC, made a big announcement for the H1B visa holders. Giving relief to the professionals, he said that now people will not have to travel abroad to renew their work visas. "America's new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC. The big move came after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden and was part of a people-to-people initiative. #WATCH | America's new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself: PM Modi addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC pic.twitter.com/rIilreaJcy — ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2023 × The US authorities released a statement saying that they will introduce 'in-country' renewable H-1B visas as part of the people-to-people initiative to smoothen the process of H-1B visa renewal for several Indians who are working in the US on an H-1B visa. India to open new consulate in Seattle India is all set to open a new consulate in Seattle this year. Apart from this, Indian Consulates will be opened in two more cities in America. "Together we are not just forming policies and agreements, we are shaping lives, dreams and destinies," said PM Modi. Also read: ‘Right time to invest, grow with India,’ PM Modi tells top American CEOs This move came after both countries welcomed an announcement by the US Department of State of launching a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year. "The leaders welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of State that it would launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals, with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool of H1B and L visa holders in 2024 and eventually broadening the programme to include other eligible categories," the India-US joint statement said. While acknowledging the important steps taken to augment the processing of visa applications, the leaders noted in the joint statement, "the pressing need to further expedite this process". The leaders also directed officials to identify additional mechanisms to facilitate travel for business, tourism, and professional and technical exchanges between the two countries. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

PM Modi makes big announcement for H1B visa holders in address to Indian diaspora

In a huge blow to Indian IT professionals eyeing the US job market, President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order preventing federal agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers — mainly those on H-1B visa — from hiring.

The move came over a month after the Trump administration in June 23 suspended the H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas until the end of 2020 to protect American workers in a crucial election year. The new restrictions took effect from June 24.

The H1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-sue-nevada-for-mail-in-ballots-317967">Also read|&nbsp;Trump threatens to sue Nevada for mail-in ballots</a>

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. "Today I am signing an executive order to ensure that the federal government lives by a very simple rule, higher American," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House before signing the order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts.

Trump told reporters that his administration will not tolerate firing of hardworking Americans in the pursuit of cheap foreign labour.

"As we speak, we're finalising the H-1B regulation so that no American workers be replaced ever again. H-1B should be used for top highly paid talent to create American jobs, not as inexpensive labour programmes and destroy American job,” said the president who was surrounded across the Cabinet Room table with individuals campaigning against job outsourcing.

Prominent among them were Sara Blackwell, founder and president of Florida-based Protect US Workers organisation; Jonathan Hicks, a software engineer in the Tennessee Valley Authority; and Kevin Lynn, founder of Pennsylvania-based US Tech Workers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-h-1b-visa-holder-unable-to-reunite-with-family-in-us-310763">Also watch:Indian H-1B visa holder unable to reunite with family in US</a>

The executive order requires all federal agencies to complete an internal audit and assess whether they are in compliance with the requirement that only US citizens and nationals are appointed to the competitive service. As a result, the Department of Labour will also finalise guidlines to prevent H-1B employers from moving H-1B workers to other employers'' job sites to displace Americans workers.

Trump's order follows the federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) announcement that it will outsource 20 per cent of its technology jobs to companies based in foreign countries.

TVA’s action could cause more than 200 highly-skilled American tech workers in Tennessee to lose their jobs to low-wage, foreign workers hired on temporary work visas, the president said.

Outsourcing hundreds of workers is especially detrimental in the middle of a pandemic, which has already cost millions of Americans their jobs, the White House said in a statement.

Given the current climate of rampant intellectual property theft, outsourcing IT jobs that involve sensitive information could pose a national security risk, it said.

According to the White House, Trump’s actions will help combat employers’ misuse of H-1B visas, which were never intended to replace qualified American workers with low-cost foreign labour.

One of the participants present during the signing of the order told the president that as many as 70 per cent of the H-1B visa goes to people from India.

Trump said he favours a merit-based immigration system that brings in high-skilled people that creates jobs inside the US and not take jobs of Americans.

“We are going to be discussing very shortly an immigration bill, which covers this and many other things. It will be a very, very comprehensive bill. It''s a word that some people love, and some people hate. But it'd be very comprehensive only in the sense that it covered just about everything. It will be based on merit. It will cover territory that nobody would have thought could have ever been agreed to,” Trump said.

The bill, he said, will be signed after the convention.

“Immigration will be very merit based, but it'll be, it'll be great for the worker. And it'll be great for people coming into our country, but coming into our country legally and loving the country and wanting to help our country as opposed to people coming in. And they don''t like our country," Trump said.

In a huge blow to Indian IT professionals eyeing the US job market, President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order preventing federal agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers — mainly those on H-1B visa — from hiring.

In a huge blow to Indian IT professionals eyeing the US job market, President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order preventing federal agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers — mainly those on H-1B visa — from hiring. The move came over a month after the Trump administration in June 23 suspended the H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas until the end of 2020 to protect American workers in a crucial election year. The new restrictions took effect from June 24. The H1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Also read| Trump threatens to sue Nevada for mail-in ballots The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. "Today I am signing an executive order to ensure that the federal government lives by a very simple rule, higher American," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House before signing the order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts. Trump told reporters that his administration will not tolerate firing of hardworking Americans in the pursuit of cheap foreign labour. "As we speak, we're finalising the H-1B regulation so that no American workers be replaced ever again. H-1B should be used for top highly paid talent to create American jobs, not as inexpensive labour programmes and destroy American job,” said the president who was surrounded across the Cabinet Room table with individuals campaigning against job outsourcing. Prominent among them were Sara Blackwell, founder and president of Florida-based Protect US Workers organisation; Jonathan Hicks, a software engineer in the Tennessee Valley Authority; and Kevin Lynn, founder of Pennsylvania-based US Tech Workers. Also watch:Indian H-1B visa holder unable to reunite with family in US The executive order requires all federal agencies to complete an internal audit and assess whether they are in compliance with the requirement that only US citizens and nationals are appointed to the competitive service. As a result, the Department of Labour will also finalise guidlines to prevent H-1B employers from moving H-1B workers to other employers'' job sites to displace Americans workers. Trump's order follows the federally-owned Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) announcement that it will outsource 20 per cent of its technology jobs to companies based in foreign countries. TVA’s action could cause more than 200 highly-skilled American tech workers in Tennessee to lose their jobs to low-wage, foreign workers hired on temporary work visas, the president said. Outsourcing hundreds of workers is especially detrimental in the middle of a pandemic, which has already cost millions of Americans their jobs, the White House said in a statement. Given the current climate of rampant intellectual property theft, outsourcing IT jobs that involve sensitive information could pose a national security risk, it said. According to the White House, Trump’s actions will help combat employers’ misuse of H-1B visas, which were never intended to replace qualified American workers with low-cost foreign labour. One of the participants present during the signing of the order told the president that as many as 70 per cent of the H-1B visa goes to people from India. Trump said he favours a merit-based immigration system that brings in high-skilled people that creates jobs inside the US and not take jobs of Americans. “We are going to be discussing very shortly an immigration bill, which covers this and many other things. It will be a very, very comprehensive bill. It''s a word that some people love, and some people hate. But it'd be very comprehensive only in the sense that it covered just about everything. It will be based on merit. It will cover territory that nobody would have thought could have ever been agreed to,” Trump said. The bill, he said, will be signed after the convention. “Immigration will be very merit based, but it'll be, it'll be great for the worker. And it'll be great for people coming into our country, but coming into our country legally and loving the country and wanting to help our country as opposed to people coming in. And they don''t like our country," Trump said.

Trump signs executive order against hiring H1B visa holders for federal contracts

Two lakh Indians in America are stuck in limbo after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of US visa for 60 days last week.

Indians could lose their legal status by June after their H1-B visa expires.

The US is the worst affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in the world right now. Its deplorable condition has become&nbsp;a nightmare for the H1-B visa holders who can be forced to leave the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-executive-order-to-suspend-immigration-to-us-for-60-days-294115">Trump signs executive order to suspend immigration to US for 60 days</a>

In the last five weeks, more than 26 million Americans have lost their jobs. This accounts for&nbsp;more than 15 percent of the country's&nbsp;workforce.

Unemployment filings have also shot up by a whopping three thousand per cent. This includes a vast majority of H1B visa holders.

While jobless Americans are entitled to unemployment benefits, H1-B&nbsp;holders do not have a cushion.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-defends-immigration-ban-into-us-citing-covid-19-294345/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It is noteworthy that&nbsp;an H1-B visa&nbsp;comes with strict conditions.&nbsp;It is tied to a specific location and an employee. A&nbsp;layoff means the person&nbsp;is no longer eligible to hold the visa.

Indians who have lost their jobs have 60 days to find a new one.&nbsp;

Unfortunately,&nbsp;this is the worst time to find a new job because the world is fighting a pandemic.

Although Indians filed a petition in the White House regarding the extension&nbsp;of the grace period from 60 to 180 days. But, the petition was closed due to lack of support.

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;has ordered a temporary freeze on immigration. He has always taken a firm stand against immigration.

Ever since he took&nbsp;office, the number of non-immigrant US&nbsp;visas issued has declined every year.

Two lakh Indians contend for one lakh&nbsp;forty thousand green cards which US issues in a year.&nbsp;The US NGOs have also been demanding to suspend&nbsp;new H1-B&nbsp;visas for a year so that unemployed Americans can find the means to sustain their&nbsp;livelihood.

Any future curbs would effectively end the American dream for several Indian citizens who are the biggest beneficiaries if the H1-B visa.

Two lakh Indians in America are stuck in limbo after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of US visa for 60 days last week. Indians could lose their legal status by June after their H1-B visa expires.

Two lakh Indians in America are stuck in limbo after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of US visa for 60 days last week. Indians could lose their legal status by June after their H1-B visa expires. The US is the worst affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in the world right now. Its deplorable condition has become a nightmare for the H1-B visa holders who can be forced to leave the country. Also read: Trump signs executive order to suspend immigration to US for 60 days In the last five weeks, more than 26 million Americans have lost their jobs. This accounts for more than 15 percent of the country's workforce. Unemployment filings have also shot up by a whopping three thousand per cent. This includes a vast majority of H1B visa holders. While jobless Americans are entitled to unemployment benefits, H1-B holders do not have a cushion. It is noteworthy that an H1-B visa comes with strict conditions. It is tied to a specific location and an employee. A layoff means the person is no longer eligible to hold the visa. Indians who have lost their jobs have 60 days to find a new one. Unfortunately, this is the worst time to find a new job because the world is fighting a pandemic. Although Indians filed a petition in the White House regarding the extension of the grace period from 60 to 180 days. But, the petition was closed due to lack of support. US President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary freeze on immigration. He has always taken a firm stand against immigration. Ever since he took office, the number of non-immigrant US visas issued has declined every year. Two lakh Indians contend for one lakh forty thousand green cards which US issues in a year. The US NGOs have also been demanding to suspend new H1-B visas for a year so that unemployed Americans can find the means to sustain their livelihood. Any future curbs would effectively end the American dream for several Indian citizens who are the biggest beneficiaries if the H1-B visa.

2 lakh Indians stuck in United States after Trump announces H1-B visa curbs

The US state of New Jersey will enact a legislation that will make college and universities more affordable for the children of H-1B visa holders, mostly Indian IT professionals, bringing a huge financial relief to them.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed the legislation 'S2555', allowing New Jersey students, who are the children of H-1B visa holders, to qualify for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education.

A majority of H-1B visa holders are Indians and this legislation comes as a significant relief to them, amidst an environment of stringent immigration laws and scrutiny under the Trump administration.

"New Jerseyans deserve equal access to higher education, and today we are taking another step towards making that possible. I'm proud to sign the legislation to help our students achieve their education goals, pursue a successful future and live their dreams here in their home state," Murphy said.

The legislation exempts dependent students whose parents or guardians hold H-1B visas from paying out-of-state tuition provided they meet certain criteria, including having graduated from a New Jersey high school and having attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years. New Jersey is home to prestigious institutions such as Princeton University.

Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis said New Jersey is working to make college affordable for New Jerseyans and the legislation will expand postsecondary opportunities to more residents such as dependents of H-1B visa holders.

India's Deputy Consul General in New York Shatru Sinha welcomed the legislation, saying in a tweet that it is an "important initiative for the Indian community".

Primary sponsors of the legislation include Indian-American Democratic Senator Vin Gopal, Senator M Teresa Ruiz and Assembly members Raj Mukherji, Daniel Benson, and Robert Karabinchak.

President and CEO of Edison-based health technology company HealthEC Arthur Kapoor welcomed the legislation, saying it will tremendously benefit the Indian diaspora in New Jersey.

"Indian diaspora welcomes this bill since H-1B visa holders pay enormous amounts of taxes as well as social security contributions which they are never able to use as they return to India before they are eligible to receive benefits. This bill will allow their kids access to the best education," Kapoor said.

Indians have among the longest wait times for Green Cards. While school education from kindergarten to grade 12 is free in American public schools, non-citizens and immigrant children have to pay exorbitant fees to study in colleges and universities, adding years-long student debts to their finances.

Gopal said when someone comes to New Jersey on an H-1B visa, they're bringing their own unique expertise, intellect and insight to the challenges and opportunities the state faces.

"But when we deny their children the opportunity to access an affordable college education right here at home, we're shutting the door on a whole new generation of brilliance and talent. When we make higher education more affordable to these kids, we're supporting their academic pursuits while encouraging them to cultivate and apply their skills right here in the Garden State," referring to the nickname by which New Jersey is known.

Edison School Board Member Jerry Shi said while waiting to get approval on their green cards, these H-1B students' parents are also taxpayers.

"Providing their children with in-state tuition will help reducing the burden of college tuition for the studies and their parents at the same time allowing the state to keep the talent in NJ," Shi said.

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said levelling the playing field by making higher education more affordable for children of H-1B visa holders is not only the right thing to do, "but also makes sense from an economic development standpoint".

Ruiz said H-1B visas have one of the longest waitlists for citizenship and unfortunately, until now, if a student's parent has an H-1B visa they were ineligible for in-state tuition.

"This law will make the dream of achieving a college degree a reality for many around the state by allowing them to access in-state tuition rates," Ruiz said.

"Individuals who are here through an H-1B visa could be here for many years with their families, raising their children in the state," said Assembly members Mukherji, Benson and Karabinchak.

"Broadening access to our colleges and universities in-state tuition is worthy of the specialty work and type of service they have committed to while living in New Jersey," they said.

Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University Khyati Y Joshi, whose research area is Immigration and South Asian Americans, recalled her experience of seeing how college affordability affects students' academic performance and how college debt limits their choices in adulthood.

"The young people who will benefit from this bill have lived in New Jersey most of their lives. We've invested in their K-12 education and it's smart to continue the investment of keeping them here in New Jersey," Joshi said.

Alphaori Technologies CEO Balaji Sankaran said that as a first generation immigrant who has gone through the entire process to becoming a permanent resident, he can vouch that this bill will be a "huge support for H-1B families to provide better education for their kids and create amazing, productive future citizens".

The US state of New Jersey will enact a legislation that will make college and universities more affordable for the children of H-1B visa holders, mostly Indian IT professionals, bringing a huge financial relief to them.

The US state of New Jersey will enact a legislation that will make college and universities more affordable for the children of H-1B visa holders, mostly Indian IT professionals, bringing a huge financial relief to them. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed the legislation 'S2555', allowing New Jersey students, who are the children of H-1B visa holders, to qualify for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education. A majority of H-1B visa holders are Indians and this legislation comes as a significant relief to them, amidst an environment of stringent immigration laws and scrutiny under the Trump administration. "New Jerseyans deserve equal access to higher education, and today we are taking another step towards making that possible. I'm proud to sign the legislation to help our students achieve their education goals, pursue a successful future and live their dreams here in their home state," Murphy said. The legislation exempts dependent students whose parents or guardians hold H-1B visas from paying out-of-state tuition provided they meet certain criteria, including having graduated from a New Jersey high school and having attended a New Jersey high school for at least three years. New Jersey is home to prestigious institutions such as Princeton University. Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis said New Jersey is working to make college affordable for New Jerseyans and the legislation will expand postsecondary opportunities to more residents such as dependents of H-1B visa holders. India's Deputy Consul General in New York Shatru Sinha welcomed the legislation, saying in a tweet that it is an "important initiative for the Indian community". Primary sponsors of the legislation include Indian-American Democratic Senator Vin Gopal, Senator M Teresa Ruiz and Assembly members Raj Mukherji, Daniel Benson, and Robert Karabinchak. President and CEO of Edison-based health technology company HealthEC Arthur Kapoor welcomed the legislation, saying it will tremendously benefit the Indian diaspora in New Jersey. "Indian diaspora welcomes this bill since H-1B visa holders pay enormous amounts of taxes as well as social security contributions which they are never able to use as they return to India before they are eligible to receive benefits. This bill will allow their kids access to the best education," Kapoor said. Indians have among the longest wait times for Green Cards. While school education from kindergarten to grade 12 is free in American public schools, non-citizens and immigrant children have to pay exorbitant fees to study in colleges and universities, adding years-long student debts to their finances. Gopal said when someone comes to New Jersey on an H-1B visa, they're bringing their own unique expertise, intellect and insight to the challenges and opportunities the state faces. "But when we deny their children the opportunity to access an affordable college education right here at home, we're shutting the door on a whole new generation of brilliance and talent. When we make higher education more affordable to these kids, we're supporting their academic pursuits while encouraging them to cultivate and apply their skills right here in the Garden State," referring to the nickname by which New Jersey is known. Edison School Board Member Jerry Shi said while waiting to get approval on their green cards, these H-1B students' parents are also taxpayers. "Providing their children with in-state tuition will help reducing the burden of college tuition for the studies and their parents at the same time allowing the state to keep the talent in NJ," Shi said. New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said levelling the playing field by making higher education more affordable for children of H-1B visa holders is not only the right thing to do, "but also makes sense from an economic development standpoint". Ruiz said H-1B visas have one of the longest waitlists for citizenship and unfortunately, until now, if a student's parent has an H-1B visa they were ineligible for in-state tuition. "This law will make the dream of achieving a college degree a reality for many around the state by allowing them to access in-state tuition rates," Ruiz said. "Individuals who are here through an H-1B visa could be here for many years with their families, raising their children in the state," said Assembly members Mukherji, Benson and Karabinchak. "Broadening access to our colleges and universities in-state tuition is worthy of the specialty work and type of service they have committed to while living in New Jersey," they said. Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University Khyati Y Joshi, whose research area is Immigration and South Asian Americans, recalled her experience of seeing how college affordability affects students' academic performance and how college debt limits their choices in adulthood. "The young people who will benefit from this bill have lived in New Jersey most of their lives. We've invested in their K-12 education and it's smart to continue the investment of keeping them here in New Jersey," Joshi said. Alphaori Technologies CEO Balaji Sankaran said that as a first generation immigrant who has gone through the entire process to becoming a permanent resident, he can vouch that this bill will be a "huge support for H-1B families to provide better education for their kids and create amazing, productive future citizens".

Relief to Indians on card as New Jersey to lower college costs of H1B visa holders' children

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Relief to Indians on card as New Jersey to lower college costs of H1B visa holders' children