H-1B visas, green card programmes generated $2.1 trillion in US household income: USISPF

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has backed the US administration’s action against alleged misuse of the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme, while highlighting the economic contribution of H-1B workers and other legal immigrants.

The statement comes after the US Department of Labor suspended new and pending PERM applications involving several major technology and outsourcing companies, including Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.

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PERM is a key step in the US employment-based green card process. Employers generally need to show that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed US workers. The process also requires employers to test the domestic labour market before sponsoring a foreign worker for permanent residency.

The Labor Department’s action has raised concerns among foreign workers whose green card applications are linked to the affected companies. The suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas, but it could delay the permanent residency process for workers whose PERM applications are new or pending.

The delays could also affect workers nearing the maximum period allowed on an H-1B visa, especially if they rely on progress in the employment-based green card process to seek further extensions.

USISPF said it supported efforts to prevent fraud and abuse in legal immigration programmes. At the same time, it said the economic benefits of these programmes should not be overlooked.

“The Green Card and H-1B programs are among the United States’ most significant economic policy success stories, strengthening America’s economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness,” USISPF said.

Citing an analysis of 2022 US Census Bureau data, the forum said these legal immigration pathways had generated $2.1 trillion in combined household income. They had also contributed $382.9 billion in federal taxes and $196.3 billion in state and local taxes, leaving $1.6 trillion in spending power.

“While supporting efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, we must also recognize the tremendous economic benefits that legal immigration brings to the United States,” the organisation said.

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Indian Americans’ contribution

USISPF pointed to the Indian American community as an example of the contribution made by legal immigrants to the US economy.

It said Indian Americans account for 1.5% of the US population but contribute 6% to the country’s GDP. The organisation also said Indian Americans co-founded 72 of the 648 unicorns in the US in 2024.

“Generations of Indian Americans have come to this country through legal immigration pathways, worked hard, pursued education, built businesses, and become successful, tax-paying members of American society,” USISPF said.

The forum also referred to a White House ceremony at which President Donald Trump presented the National Medals of Science and the National Medals of Technology and Innovation to six innovators.

Five of the six recipients were born outside the US, USISPF said, adding that this showed the contribution of immigrant talent to American innovation and technological leadership.

“We share the administration’s goal of helping the United States succeed as a global technology leader by attracting the best global technology talent while sustaining a strong domestic job market,” the organisation said.