Trump Got The Concessions, India Got The H-1B Burden: Cong

The Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to protect Indian interests after US President Donald Trump extended a USD 100,000 payment requirement for certain H-1B visa petitions for another year, warning that the move could hit Indian technology professionals, students and the country’s IT sector.

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera alleged that the government had “bent over backwards” to appease Trump, while India was left facing the consequences of the US policy.

“Trump has extended the USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee for another 12 months,” Khera said in a post on X, arguing that the measure would make it harder for Indian students to enter the US workforce and could discourage smaller companies from sponsoring foreign professionals.

The White House has extended the restriction until September 21, 2027, saying the measure is aimed at addressing what it describes as abuse of the H-1B programme and preventing employers from replacing US workers with lower-paid foreign labour. The administration said registrations from the largest IT outsourcing firms fell by 92 per cent, from 24,946 to 2,055, after the earlier measure took effect.

The policy applies primarily to certain new H-1B workers outside the United States and is subject to specified exceptions. Existing H-1B visa holders are not simply required to pay the fee because of the extension. The measure has also faced legal challenges in US courts, adding uncertainty over its implementation.

Trump has simultaneously ordered US agencies to consider an employer’s recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated American workers while reviewing H-1B applications. The White House says the step is intended to strengthen programme oversight and protect US workers.

Indian nationals have historically accounted for the largest share of H-1B beneficiaries, making changes to the programme particularly significant for India’s technology workforce and students seeking US employment.