The H-1B visa system for immigrants has been referred to as “indentured servitude” by Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-origin Republican contender for president of the United States in 2024. If elected US President in 2024, he has promised to “gut” the current lottery-based visa system and replace it with a meritocracy-based one. The H-1B visa is highly desired by Indian IT experts
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy ?
Vivek Ramaswamy is an American entrepreneur and author who is running for president of the United States in 2024 as a Republican. He is the founder of Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company,
Ramaswamy believes that the United States needs to reassert its sovereignty and reduce its reliance on foreign countries. He has proposed a number of policies to achieve this goal, including withdrawing from international agreements, reducing trade with China, and increasing domestic manufacturing. This sentiment is reflected in most of his speeches including the recent one where he vowed to end the lottery based H-1B visa system.
Ramaswamy believes that the United States needs to create an environment where businesses can thrive. He has proposed a number of policies to achieve this goal, including cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and renegotiating trade deals.
Ramaswamy is a relatively new figure in American politics, and his campaign is still in its early stages. He is facing an uphill battle in the Republican primary, where he is competing against more established candidates such as former President Donald Trump
. However, Ramaswamy has generated a significant amount of media attention and has raised a significant amount of money. It remains to be seen whether he can build enough momentum to win the Republican nomination and challenge incumbent President Joe Biden in the general election.
What is an H-1B visa?
H-1B visas are nonimmigrant visas that allow U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Specialty occupations are those that require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialised knowledge, and at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the specific specialty.
They are required to have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the specific specialty occupation and also job offers from a U.S. employer in the specific specialty occupation.The employer must attest that it could not find a qualified U.S. worker for the position.
H-1B visas are valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three years. There is a cap of 65,000 H-1B visas issued each year, with an additional 20,000 visas available for foreign nationals who have a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. university.
Republicans stance on H-1B visas
Republicans worry that H-1B visas are being used to displace American workers, particularly in the tech industry. They argue that companies are using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers for lower wages, which can lead to American workers losing their jobs.
Republicans have also raised concerns about fraud in the H-1B visa program. They argue that some companies are using the program to bring in foreign workers who are not truly qualified for the jobs they are being hired for.
Republicans have also expressed concerns about national security risks posed by H-1B visas. They argue that some foreign workers who come to the United States on H-1B visas may be spies or have other ties to foreign governments.
Ramaswamy has taken the same stance as previous president Donald Trump. Trump, who employed a number of foreign workers for his companies on H-1B visas, initially had a strict stance against H-1B workers before moderating it. In an effort to reduce the amount of immigrants coming to the US, Trump temporarily banned new work visas and barred hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from finding employment there during his presidency.
The H-1B visa is highly desired by Indian IT experts.Even though Ramaswamy promises to create a visa system that is solely based on merit, he has previously used the lottery-based H1B visa system 29 times. Roivant Sciences, a biotech business founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, received approval for 29 applications to engage workers on H-1B visas for the period of 2018 to 2024. It has led to a number of debates online and we are see whether or not it will affect the election.
(Image Source: Business Because)
