Key Takeaways:
- India has strategically used the U.S. visa system to gain economic advantages at the expense of American workers.
- Millions of American workers are struggling with unemployment, underemployment, or low wages.
- The H-1B visa program, meant to bring in skilled workers, has been exploited to Displace American jobs.
- Indian lobbying groups have influenced U.S. policies to favor foreign workers over domestic ones.
- The U.S. economy is suffering as jobs are outsourced, and American workers are left behind.
How India Weaponized the U.S. Visa System
The United States is facing tough times. Inflation is rising, layoffs are increasing, and many Americans are struggling to find stable jobs. But there’s another issue that’s not getting enough attention: India’s manipulation of the U.S. visa system. Over the past decade, India has cleverly used the H-1B visa program to send large numbers of foreign workers to America, often at the expense of American jobs.
What was supposed to be a partnership between the two countries has turned into a one-sided deal. While the U.S. government touts the strength of the economy, the reality for millions of American workers is grim.
According to a report by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity, nearly 25% of working-age Americans are “functionally unemployed.” This means they are either jobless, working part-time when they want full-time work, or earning so little they can’t afford basic needs. Shockingly, over 5.7 million people are not even counted in official unemployment numbers because they’ve given up looking for work.
The tech industry, which once promised high-paying jobs for American graduates, is now dominated by H-1B workers, mostly from India. Economist Alí Bustamante points out that in fields like software development and data science, white-collar unemployment has soared to 20.4%. Meanwhile, recent U.S. graduates are suffering, with 85% of new unemployment claims coming from them since mid-2023.
The H-1B Visa: A Tool for Displacing American Workers
The H-1B visa program was created to help U.S. companies hire foreign workers for specialized jobs when no qualified Americans were available. But over time, it’s become a loophole for companies to hire cheaper foreign labor. Indian tech giants like Infosys, Cognizant, and Wipro have flooded the U.S. job market with H-1B workers, pushing American employees out of their own industries.
These companies have even been accused of discrimination. For example, Cognizant was found guilty of favoring Indian workers over qualified Americans. Infosys paid millions to settle charges of visa fraud. Yet, despite these violations, the U.S. government continues to approve over 120,000 new H-1B visas every year.
The India Lobby: Shaping U.S. Policy for Its Own Gain
So, how did this happen? The answer lies in the powerful India lobby. Groups like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) have spent years influencing U.S. policymakers. They frame their efforts as promoting “partnership” and “globalization,” but their real goal is to secure more visas for Indian workers and remove protections for American jobs.
These groups have even warned against policies that protect American workers, calling them “discriminatory” or “protectionist.” They’ve lobbied against laws that would limit the number of H-1B workers a company can hire or require employers to pay them fair wages. Instead, they argue that outsourcing and offshoring are good for the economy, despite the harm they cause to American workers.
The Larger Impact on the U.S. Economy
The consequences of this visa abuse are far-reaching. American jobs are being replaced by low-wage foreign workers, and entire industries are being reshaped. Domestic companies are struggling to compete with Indian firms that exploit the system. Many U.S. workers have lost their jobs or seen their wages stagnate, while others have given up searching for work altogether.
Even the future of young Americans is at risk. The tech industry, once seen as a guaranteed path to prosperity, now feels closed off. With 120,000 new H-1B visas approved each year, the competition for jobs is fierce, and American graduates are often left behind.
A Betrayal of American Workers
The U.S. government’s failure to address this issue is shocking. Despite clear evidence of visa abuse, policymakers have refused to act. Instead, they continue to approve visas that displace American workers. This isn’t just a policy mistake – it’s a betrayal of the people they’re supposed to represent.
The lobbying power of Indian companies and the lack of political will to stand up for American workers have created a system that favors foreign interests over domestic needs. Meanwhile, millions of Americans are paying the price, struggling to make ends meet or find meaningful work.
Turning the Tide
The good news is that there’s still time to fix this. The U.S. needs to take a hard look at its visa policies and ensure they prioritize American workers. This means cracking down on visa abuse, enforcing fair wage laws, and protecting jobs for U.S. citizens.
But for this to happen, politicians must stop siding with special interests and start putting America first. The American Dream shouldn’t be sacrificed for the benefit of foreign governments and corporations.