US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday said in an X (formerly Twitter) post that Indian H-1B visa holders are taking away American jobs. In her
post, she wrote, “End Indian H-1B visas replacing American jobs instead”. Greene, a Republican lawmaker from Georgia, was responding to a post by US President Donald Trump. Trump had called for higher tariffs on Indian exports due to India’s continued oil trade with Russia. While resharing his post, Greene added her own message about H-1B visas, linking the topic of jobs to the broader US-India trade tensions.
What H-1B Visa Means For Indian Students And Professionals
The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers, mainly in fields like technology, engineering, and research. A large number of these visas are used by Indian professionals, many of whom come to the US first as international students on F-1 visas.
After graduation, they often apply for a temporary work permit called Optional Practical Training (OPT) and later for H-1B sponsorship to continue working in the US.
According to data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), nearly 70% of all H-1B visas in 2024 went to Indian nationals. This makes India the largest source of skilled foreign workers under the programme.
Political And Trade Tensions
The US and India are already facing tensions over trade and energy partnerships, and the US political environment is heating up as the 2024 presidential election continues to shape national conversations.
Experts say that while Greene’s comment has no direct impact on current visa processes, it reflects a growing focus in some political groups on how the H-1B system is used.
Some lawmakers in the US have earlier raised concerns about the fairness of the H-1B lottery system and have called for better protections for American workers. Others have also suggested creating more opportunities for international students who graduate from US universities, especially in science and technology fields.
For now, Indian students on F-1 visas and professionals applying for H-1B visas are not affected. The OPT programme and the H-1B application process continue without any changes. Still, international students must stay updated through official USCIS sources and consult with academic advisors or legal experts when planning their careers in the US.
