Indian IT companies have significantly reduced their dependence on US immigration programmes while expanding local hiring, Nasscom said after the temporary suspension of certain firms from the PERM programme.
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Indian IT companies have already significantly reduced their dependence on US immigration programmes and built larger local workforces, Nasscom said, after the US DOL suspended major Indian technology companies from the PERM green-card programme.
The U.S. Department of Labour announced Thursday the temporary suspension of certain IT companies, including Indian technology companies operating in the U.S., from filing new applications under the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme, which allows employers to hire foreign workers to work permanently in the United States.
Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said in an X post that the USDOL is suspending Microsoft, Adobe and Indian IT services companies like Infosys, Wipro and Cognizant from the permanent visa program.
“After a pipeline of systemic fraud has flooded our country for years with foreign labor, we’re putting an end to it today,” he said.
Nasscom distinguishes immigration from talent mobility
While the decision affects a specific immigration pathway, Nasscom said in a statement that immigration and skilled talent mobility are two distinct issues and should not be viewed through the same lens.
It explained that the H-1B visa programme has historically played an important role in addressing short-term skill gaps in the U.S. and will continue to do so.
“However, over the past few years, Indian technology companies have significantly reduced their dependence on H-1B visas, while expanding local hiring and building a strong domestic workforce in the U.S.”
Indian IT firms expand US workforce
Nasscom explained that these companies work with most U.S. Fortune 500 companies, helping them innovate and grow while creating more local jobs. The number of employees transitioning from H-1B visas to permanent residency through the PERM process is also relatively limited.
“Indian technology companies operate across more than 80 countries and have consistently demonstrated their commitment to complying with local laws and regulatory requirements. We are confident that they will continue to adhere to applicable regulations in the U.S. as well,” Nasscom said.
Published on October 8, 2026
