US proclamation to suspend work visas misguided: Nasscom

NEW DELHI: Industry body Nasscom on Tuesday termed the work visa suspension proclamation as “misguided” and said this could be harmful to the US economy, possibly forcing more work to be performed offshore since the local talent is not available in the country. The comments came after US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to suspend issuing of H-1B visas – popular among Indian IT professionals – along with other foreign work visas for the rest of the year, aimed at helping millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the current economic crisis.

The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24 is expected to impact a large number of Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.