Nasscom opposes US bill S.386, says could have damaging effect

IT industry body Nasscom on Tuesday said a new Bill in the US that proposes to bar a section of Indian IT companies from bringing in global talent on H-1B visas would have a “damaging effect” on the competitiveness of American firms and create an uneven playing field.

The bill seeks to bring in amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country limitation for employment-based immigrants. However, another provision will bar 50:50 companies (those with 50 employees and more in the US or with 50 per cent of staff on H-1B work visas) from bringing in more employees on H-1B into the US.

Nasscom Vice-President and Head – Global Trade Development Shivendra Singh said Nasscom strongly supported the removal of the per country caps on green cards as was the original intent of the Bill.