Indiaspora warns proposed H-1B curbs could hurt the US economy
Indian diaspora group Indiaspora has warned that proposed US immigration curbs aimed at Indian professionals could do serious damage to the American economy. In a statement issued on 30 October, the non-partisan group said the measures would hit healthcare, technology and education, and urged political leaders to rethink them.
The group raised the alarm over several proposed changes. These include H-1B petition fees of more than $100,000 for employers in high-tech and healthcare, replacing the random lottery for H-1B visas with a system that favours higher-paid workers, and ending the 60-day grace period that lets laid-off foreign workers stay in the US while they look for a new job.
Indiaspora also flagged plans to freeze work permits for H-4 spouses of H-1B holders and to charge fees of up to $70,000 for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM extensions for international graduates. The group said the changes could hit early-career graduates hardest and cut off the pipeline of young talent that American firms depend on.
“H-1B workers from India have helped make America the world’s innovation leader,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora. “Driving them away could have very serious consequences for communities nationwide.”
The warning comes after a US federal court struck down an earlier $100,000 H-1B fee in June 2026. A Massachusetts court ruled the fee, introduced by President Donald Trump in September 2025, was unlawful without Congress’s approval.
Why it matters
The H-1B visa lets US companies hire skilled foreign workers for specialist jobs. Indiaspora pointed out that foreign professionals fill gaps that local hiring cannot fix quickly, including rural doctors and teachers in under-resourced areas such as the Mississippi Delta.
The group also warned against rising anti-Indian rhetoric during the election season, saying blaming foreign talent for short-term political gain could hurt the US economy and the US–India partnership.
What happens next
The measures Indiaspora flagged are proposals, not final rules, so employers, workers and their families will be watching for formal announcements from the US government. Any new rule could also face legal challenges, as the earlier fee did. For now, the warning adds to the pressure on US leaders to weigh the economic cost before tightening the rules on skilled workers.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/indian-professionals-vital-to-us-economy-visa-restrictions-could-hurt-communities-indiaspora/article71651571.ece (The Hindu BusinessLine, 1 November 2026)
- https://www.connectedtoindia.com/diaspora-groups-call-h-1b-visa-fee-reversal-a-win-for-skilled-immigration/ (Connected to India, 9 June 2026)
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dupaxWIMtjE (India Abroad, 1 November 2026)
