US immigration bill alarms Indian firms

A Democratic Party bill, aimed at overhauling the immigration system introduced in House of Representatives this month, has sent alarm bells ringing among Indian IT firms as it includes provisions that would be detrimental to the businesses of such companies. The bill (HR 15) introduced in the House by the Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi, and co-sponsored by several members of the Congressional India Caucus, carries the same killer provisions as the one passed by the Senate. The killer provisions are in particular related to the much-sought after H-1B and L-1 visas. Given that the Democrats in the House are in a minority, Congressional aides said that the chances of this bill being passed with the Republican support is unlikely and it was introduced by Pelosi early this month as part of the larger political game plan to put pressure on the Republicans to bring a reform bill to the floor. ‘The time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform. This week, two House Republicans joined 187 members in co-sponsoring HR 15, our immigration legislation that reflects our core bipartisan values: protect our borders, protect our workforce, reunite families, and create an earned pathway to citizenship,’ Pelosi told reporters.