White House asks Congress to revamp outdated H-1B visa program

The Biden administration wants the US Congress to update the “woefully outdated” immigration system, including the temporary visa programs like the H-1B visa for high skilled foreign workers coveted by Indians.

“As we have said many times before: This is an outdated immigration system,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Monday in response to a question 56 lawmakers’ request to help H-1B workers in light of concerns about Canada recruiting H-1B holders from the US.

“We’ve asked Congress to update our woefully outdated immigration system. We’ve been very clear on that including the temporary visa programs that haven’t been updated in more than two decades” she said.

READ: 70 Indians sue US for denying H-1B visas over employers’ fraud (August 15, 2023)

On July 28, 56 US House members, led by Indian American Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Larry Bucshon, (R-IN) had sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting the Biden Administration to take executive action to provide relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders.

Asked if the administration agreed with these lawmakers that H-1B workers need more flexibility to do things like change jobs or travel abroad, Jean-Pierre sought to put the ball back in the Congress’ court.

“Under current regulations, as you know, workers on certain temporary visas usually have 60 days to secure new employment, pursue a different visa classification, or make preparations to depart the United States,” she noted.

“So, Congress needs to do their job and pass legislation updating our immigration laws to reflect the needs of where we are currently in this 21st-century economy,” Jean-Pierre said.

READ: US making huge push for speedy visa processing in India (June 16, 2023)

“So, look, the President, even on his first day — as we’ve said many times before — he put forth an immigration-reform legislation, because he took this very seriously,” she said.

“He wanted to make sure that was the first piece of legislation that he put forward on day one, because this is such a broken system,” Jean-Pierre said.

Asked if the administration was not willing to take executive action as asked for specifically by the lawmakers, the press secretary repeated, “We are saying that Congress needs to do their job.”

READ MORE: Indians dominate H-1B visa approvals in FY 2022 (June 7, 2023)

“That’s what we’re saying. This has been two decades since this particular visa has been upgraded and updated. And so, it’s for Congress to act. That’s what they need to do.”

READ: Things to know before H-1B visa stamping season (May 31, 2023)