US Visa Restrictions Global, Not India-Specific, Says Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that the Trump administration's H-1B visa restrictions are not specifically aimed at India, despite concerns among Indian professionals. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Rubio clarified that the changes, which have impacted Indians seeking jobs in the US and American businesses looking to hire them, are part of a broader effort to prioritise American workers and national interests as the country overhauls its immigration system. He insisted the policy "is not one that's built on India. It's not one that's focused on India," but rather "it is global."

Rubio explained that Washington is attempting to address what it considers "longstanding problems" with its immigration system, including alleged fraud, abuse, and concerns about American workers losing employment opportunities. He described the US immigration system as "broken" and noted that "business-related immigration programmes" had seen "rampant fraud and abuse." These changes, he added, apply to "any country, every country in the world," not just India. Rubio further acknowledged that countries disproportionately affected might feel targeted, but maintained the measures were not directed at any particular nation.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, also present in the interview, supported Rubio's position. Gor affirmed that policy changes affecting India are part of a broader US immigration system reset, not measures targeting an individual country. He stated, "All these items that have changed that have impacted India and it's not just India, it's the whole world." Gor reiterated the "America First" stance, clarifying it "doesn't mean America alone," and added that India was also entitled to prioritise its national interests. The envoy argued that the United States needed to reassess its immigration policies after years of inadequate border controls and failures by successive administrations to protect American interests, saying, "For too long we had open borders. For too long people were coming into the United States and taking advantage of us."

Recent US H-1B visa policy changes have tightened regulations for Indian professionals through heightened scrutiny and steep financial barriers. The "deference policy" for visa renewals has been removed, meaning previously approved H-1B extensions now face rigorous reassessment, increasing risks of delays and denials for Indians already working in the country. For new offshore applicants, entry restrictions have been extended through September 2027, maintaining a prohibitive USD 100,000 fee requirement for certain new petitions filed from outside the US. Additionally, a shift toward a wage-weighted lottery system prioritises higher-paying roles, coupled with a recent executive order intensifying scrutiny on employers who have conducted layoffs, prompting major IT firms to consider reducing their fresh visa registrations.

What to watch: Further developments in US immigration policy and their impact on Indian professionals.

Editor's note: Thoroughly covers the interview statements from Rubio and Gor along with specific H-1B policy changes.