Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged to implement a meritocratic admissions system as a replacement for the current system.
The announcement made by Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate in the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections, has generated significant controversy. Ramaswamy has expressed his intention to extensively reform the H-1B visa program, using strong language such as “gutting” it, should he be elected to the office. He has made a commitment to substitute the current system with a merit-based admittance process.

There is a pressing need to replace the current lottery system with a more robust and merit-based approach to admission. The H-1B visa program might be seen as a type of indentured servitude that primarily benefits the sponsoring firm. “I will dismantle it,” stated Ramaswamy, as reported by Politico.

He further stated that the individuals who arrive as family members do not belong to the category of meritocratic immigrants who make skills-based contributions to the nation.

Furthermore, it is worth considering whether the United States of America played a role in assisting Pakistan in obtaining a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The disclosure of leaked documents has brought to light significant and surprising information.

The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa program in the United States that allows employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. It is particularly significant for individuals from India due to the large number of Indian professionals who have been granted H-1B visas.

The H-1B visa program enables enterprises in the United States to employ nonimmigrant foreign individuals in specialized jobs. As to the official website of the United States Department of Labor, a specialist profession is defined as a type of employment that necessitates the utilization of a substantial amount of specialized knowledge and the acquisition of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

The H-1B visa program is mutually beneficial for companies and employees, as it allows employers to recruit highly skilled individuals who may not be readily accessible within the local labor market, while affording workers the opportunity to lawfully work in the United States. Additionally, in accordance with the regulations outlined on the official website of the United States Department of Labor, employers are obligated to provide H-1B nonimmigrant workers with wages that are “at least equivalent to the actual compensation received by other employees possessing comparable experience and qualifications for the specific job, or the prevailing wage for the occupation within the intended area of employment – whichever amount is higher.”

According to available reports, individuals of Indian origin are considered to be the primary recipients of the H-1B visa program. According to available data, individuals of Indian origin constituted around 73% of the total 442,000 H-1B visa holders for the fiscal year of 2022. Hence, any alteration in the current structure will undeniably have an impact on the Indian population.

Source- Hindustan times
Link- https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/vivek-ramaswamy-wants-to-change-h-1b-visa-program-what-is-it-exactly-and-how-it-affects-indians-101695071731330.html