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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 17, 2025 | The Indian Eye 16

Congressman Frank Pallone Calls for Early

US-India Dialogue to Remove Current Hiccups

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Global Organization of Peo-
ple of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
Theld a special webinar on Octo-
ber 4, 2025, titled “H-1B Visa Storm:
Current Challenges and Pathways
Forward.” The discussion brought to-
gether four immigration attorneys and
community leaders to address the con-
fusion and anxiety that swept through
the Indian professional community af-
ter recent U.S. policy changes on the
H-1B visa. The concern stemmed from
the Trump administration’s Septem-
ber 19 announcement of a proposed
$100,000 H-1B visa fee—a 67-fold in-
crease from the current rate—causing
uncertainty for applicants, U.S. com-
panies, and the global Indian diaspora.
GOPIO’s Associate Secretary
and Chair of Webinar Series Sunil
Vuppala opened the event, describing
it as an emergency session prompted
by “the confusion created by the an-
nouncement.” He then introduced
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abra- disadvantaging small businesses that race.” Speakers stressed that the im- moving to attract global talent. “This
ham, who said the Indian community can’t afford top-tier salaries. “H-1Bs plications extend beyond H-1B visas could ultimately weaken the U.S.
was “shocked” by the move. “When are going to be decided on money and to include tariffs, lottery mechanisms, economy instead of strengthening it,”
President Trump announced the economy instead of the toils of the and U.S. competitiveness. The com- he said. On the strategic front, he ex-
$100,000 fee for H-1B visas on Sept. mind,” Nachman warned. He also said bined effect of higher fees, increased pressed concern about shifting global
19, we were shocked. We wrote to the the government plans stricter site visits oversight, and wage-based priorities alliances. “Meanwhile, India’s pivot
President expressing our concerns but and compliance checks, increasing un- could have lasting consequences for toward countries such as Russia and
got only a standard reply that didn’t certainty for employers and applicants. U.S. innovation and global leadership. China—partially in response to U.S.
touch the issue,” Dr. Abraham said. Attorney Prashanti Reddy em- GOPIO President Prakash Shah policy—raises additional strategic
He noted that the economic contribu- phasized that the new rules primarily then introduced the event’s chief and economic concerns,” he said, call-
tion of H-1B professionals to the U.S. affect applicants outside the U.S., par- guest, Senior U.S. Congressman ing for an early U.S.-India dialogue to
exceeds $200 billion annually, while ticularly those never before employed and Padma Bhushan awardee Frank remove current hiccups.
the associated cost is around $8.5 bil- in specialized sectors. “While renew- Pallone Jr., who represents New Jer- The webinar closed with a vote of
lion, calling the program a net positive als and transfers remain unaffected,” sey’s 6th Congressional District and thanks by GOPIO General Secretary
driver of innovation. “The technology she said, “the fee is a critical issue co-founded the India Caucus in the Siddharth Jain. Vatsala Upadhyay,
sector has grown in the U.S. because for the Indian American community, U.S. Congress. Congressman Pallone Founder and CEO of AI Junoon,
of the H-1B visa program, and there even if not the top national priority.” criticized the administration’s ap- provided technical support, and GO-
is a strong correlation between H-1B Attorney Stephanie Dy warned the proach, saying it focused on revenue PIO announced plans to continue
and U.S. patent output,” he added. change would make it harder for small instead of strengthening the local engaging with congressional leaders
The panel was moderated by New companies to hire new workers. “For workforce. “This policy shifts focus on the issue. Founded in 1989, GO-
York Immigration Attorney Dilli Bat- those in the outstanding level catego- from building local skills to simply PIO is a non-partisan, not-for-profit,
ta and featured attorneys David Na- ry, just a bachelor’s degree may not be generating revenue,” Pallone said. secular organization with chapters
chman, Stephanie Dy, and Prashanti enough—you may need to be at the “Small businesses and innovative sec- in over 36 countries. Its volunteers
Reddy. Attorney Nachman described master’s or Ph.D. level,” she said. Dy tors may be unfairly impacted.” He aim to enhance cooperation between
the situation as a “torrential rain- suggested that professionals with TN argued that rather than investing bil- NRIs, PIOs, and local communities,
storm,” outlining three major shifts. status consider E2 visas by investing in lions in new fees, the U.S. should in- building networks and strengthening
The $100,000 fee applies mainly to their own companies. vest in training programs to develop the global Indian identity. GOPIO’s
new, cap-subject applicants outside The panelists agreed that the local talent. Linking the fee to tariffs leadership reaffirmed its commitment
the U.S., not renewals or transfers. measure could stifle innovation. “I’ve and adjusting the lottery to favor high- to ensuring that the U.S. remains a
While framed as an anti-abuse mea- seen résumés as long as 25 pages with er-paid employees, he added, “creates welcoming destination for top global
sure, it could deter global talent. Pro- numerous patents and publications,” economic distortions.” talent while fostering stronger inte-
posed changes to the H-1B lottery one attorney said, adding that the U.S. Pallone warned that countries gration of the Indian diaspora into the
would prioritize higher-wage earners, risks “missing out in the technology like Germany and China are already country’s economic and civic life.

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