Nasscom has expressed concerns on some section of proposed H-1B visa modernisation programme that the US Department of Homeland Security is planning. The proposed rule is currently open for a 60-day comment period and Nasscom will be making a formal submission and has already begun a thorough industry assessment of the proposed rule.
The IT industry body said that sections of the proposed rule align with the former administration’s unsuccessful attempts to limit the H-1B programme in a manner that raises concerns for the IT industry. For example, the proposed tightening of the definition and requirements for H-1B “specialty occupations” narrows the scope of applicants who will qualify for an H-1B visa and ignores the nature of our modern workforce, not found in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), said the industry
body in a statement.
The industry body added, “This and other hurdles in the proposed rule create difficulties for companies attempting to hire the necessary skilled workers to fill key, and currently unfilled, jobs across STEM fields. Nasscom will submit detailed comments to address our concerns and hopes that the government will align the Proposed Rule with its overall goal to boost the U.S. economy by meeting U.S. employers’ STEM hiring needs.”