look news india
US Vice President JD Vance has clarified his formal position after a huge political storm at the international level over his sharp and controversial statement regarding H-1B visa holders. Some time ago, when foreign workers working on H-1B visa were compared with ‘indentured servants’, there was a sharp reaction in the expatriate circles around the world including India. Amidst all-round criticism, Vice President Vance, while presenting his clarification on a public platform, claimed that the purpose of his remarks was not to question the qualifications of immigrants or Indian professionals, but was a direct attack on American corporate companies that exploit foreign workers by abusing the legal system. Along with this, he expressed deep respect for the Indian origin of his wife Usha Vance and his in-laws who came from South India, and strongly defended the administration’s strict immigration policies.
When Vice President JD Vance was asked pointed questions about immigrants’ rights and his previous offensive remarks during a special town hall conversation hosted by leading international media network CBS News in Flat Rock, Michigan, he handled the situation by publicly admitting that the language of his statement may not have been entirely appropriate. Vance clarified that the way he expressed his views was not accurate and he himself accepts responsibility for his choice of words. However, he was quick to add that when he uses the term ‘bonded labour’, he does not mean to insult the talented H-1B visa holders who toil day and night, but is a direct criticism of the corporate system and unethical companies that render workers helpless and helpless under the guise of visa rules.
Vice President JD Vance made an emotional reference to his personal family life and Indian relations to clarify his stance on the contentious issue. He said that the background his family comes from is not hidden from anyone. Vance said emotionally that he deeply loves and respects his mother-in-law and father-in-law, who came from South India and settled in America. She proudly underlined that the daughters of the same immigrants, who were born and brought up on American soil, are today the respected ‘Second Lady’ of the United States. Vance said he is extremely proud of his wife Usha Vance and his family roots. Along with this, he emphasized on immigration policy, saying that he wants to establish a just immigration model that welcomes skilled people who add real value to the American economy, but at the same time remains completely fair and balanced towards the employment interests of American-born domestic workers.
The Vice President made a sharp attack on the internal practices of American companies, alleging that many big employers, in order to reduce costs and earn profits, first show the way out of jobs to high-paid local American citizens. After this, they appoint workers from abroad on vacant posts on harsh and unequal terms. Highlighting the technical flaw of this system, Vance said that unlike an ordinary American citizen, a foreign employee becomes completely dependent on his company for his legal status in the country. If a foreign employee tries to raise his voice against any unfair company policy, excessive work pressure or salary discrepancy, he not only faces the risk of losing his job but also faces very serious legal consequences including immediate deportation from the country. According to Vance, this visa system gives companies too much power, making it easier for workers to be exploited, while the problem lies not with innocent people looking for better opportunities but with this flawed visa system.
This entire international standoff started when the US administration had issued a strict order to suspend many big firms including Indian IT outsourcing companies from a major special program that provides permanent citizenship i.e. ‘Green Card’ to foreign workers. The official argument of the US government was that due to this system, American citizens are being driven out of the domestic job market and concerns of unemployment are increasing at the local level. At the time of announcement of this administrative decision, Vice President JD Vance had called H-1B holding professionals as ‘bonded labourers’, after which a heated debate broke out in the diplomatic and economic circles between the two countries. Now, after this detailed clarification given in the Town Hall, the administration has tried to convey the message that their fight is not against foreign professionals, but towards improving visa rules and restoring the local employment balance.