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QUESTION NO.1368 FEDERAL JOBS FOR H-1B VISA HOLDERS

September 22, 2020

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1368
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020

FEDERAL JOBS FOR H-1B VISA HOLDERS

1368. SHRI B. LINGAIAH YADAV:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of bar on H-1B Visa holders from federal jobs, if so, the details thereof; and

(b) the impact of such decision on Indians and how Government will solve this problem?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) The Government has taken note of the Executive Order issued by the U.S. Administration on 3 August 2020 titled "Aligning Federal Contracting and Hiring Practices with the Interests of American Workers” which required federal U.S. agencies to prioritize hiring U.S. residents and green card holders before outsourcing contract jobs to foreign workers, including H-1B visa holders. The executive action also directed all federal agencies to review their ongoing contracts to see whether foreign workers were being used and identify national security risks and areas where U.S. workers are not being prioritized.

(b) The Government is assessing the impact of the Executive Order on Indian nationals in consultation with stakeholders. Government of India has closely engaged with the U.S. Administration and other relevant stakeholders on issues related to movement of Indian professionals, highlighting the importance of people to people linkages and the contribution of Indian skilled professionals to the growth and development of the U.S. economy, especially in the technology and innovation sector.

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