Page 24 - The Indian EYE 102425

NORTH AMERICAN NEWSLINE OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 24

Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes

Support GOPIO’s Stand on

H-1B Visa Issue

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Connecticut Chapter the
Global Organization of People
Tof Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT)
held virtual meeting with Connecti-
cut Congressman Jim Himes (CT 4th
District) on October 9th, 2025 on “H-
1B Visa Fee Hike of $100,000.”

The meeting was attended by
GOPIO-CT and GOPIO Interna-
tional officials as well as mem-
bers and those businesses who

have been affected by this new
decision by the Trump Admin-
istration.

The meeting was held at the ini- GOPIO-CT’s Virtual Meeting with US Congressman Jim Himes, Top Row: Attorney Nandita Ruchandani, Rep. Jim Himes.
tiative GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thom- Bottom Row: l. to r.: Prasad Chintalapudi, Shailehs Naik, Dr. S.K. Lo and Dr. Thomas Abraham
as Abraham, who also serves as
Trustee and Advisor to the chapter. talapudi and Cameron Engineers other social services. H-1B holders agreed with Dr. Abraham that many
In his remarks, Dr. Abraham said President Shailesh Naik brought to are often employed by American highly qualified people would leave
that, according to public information the attention of Congressman Himes businesses that will have to shut the USA which will be great loss of
from Chat GPT, the H-1B program that the new fee hike will harm small down because the profit margin is our country.
annually benefited the USA with companies who hire highly qualified just not enough to justify paying the On an audience question about
over $200 billion while the cost was tech people. $100,000 fee. For example, small en- current status of USA relation with
only $8.5 billion. Panzer Solutions employs H-1B gineering firms that build and repair India, Rep. Himes has said that the
Dr. Abraham said, “By making visa holders. Chintalapudi, who is municipal water systems are limited cooperation with India still continues
it difficult for highly qualified peo- also a trustee of GOPIO-CT, said to what they can pay by what they in Commerce, Trade and Defense.
ple to work in the USA, the country that many small and medium com- can charge the local government. Over the last 20 years, GO-
will lose out in the long run if they panies who have H-1B visas holders “The chaos caused by the sud- PIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO In-
take employment in Canada, Ger- on their pay roll have been creating den imposition of this huge fee has ternational has become an active
man and China, which have offered local employment and keeping jobs already disrupted many lives and and dynamic organization hosting
to take them.” in the USA. He also said that many businesses,” Ruchandani added. interactive sessions with policy mak-
Dr. Abraham also brought com- CEOs of large companies including Also, speaking at the virtual ers and academicians, community
munity’s concerns on the tardiness Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Satya Na- meeting was Dr. S.K. Lo, Chairper- events, youth mentoring and net-
on the US-India dialogue to resolv- della and Aravind Krishna emerged son of Asian American Unity Coa- working workshops, and working
ing bilateral issues. from H1B program. lition (AAUC) who said that such with other area organizations to
GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Attorney Nandita Ruchandani issues have to be taken unitedly and help create a better future. GO-
Jhangiani told of the negative impact who spoke on behalf of Cameron AAUC is willing to support. PIO-CT – Global Organization of
of the H-1B rules on small business- Engineers said that H-1B holders in- Congressman Himes, who is in People of Indian Origin – serves as a
es since the larger corporations can cluded doctors and other healthcare his ninth term, serves as Ranking non-partisan, secular, civic and com-
afford to pay the $100,000 fees, but professionals in undeserved areas, Member of the House Permanent munity service organization – pro-
cost will be unbearable for small teachers, accountants, and engineers Select Committee on Intelligence, moting awareness of Indian culture,
and medium businesses. Jhangiani as well as tech workers. H-1B im- and on the House Financial Ser- customs and contributions of people
also expressed his concerns on the migrants pay into the social securi- vices Committee. In his reply, Con- of Indian origin through community
anti-India policies of the Trump Ad- ty system but can never access that gressmen Himes said that he fully programs, forums, events and youth
ministration. money until they become permanent supported our views and that the activities. It seeks to strengthen part-
Two GOPIO-CT members Pan- residents. They own houses and pay issues in US-India Relations have to nerships and create an ongoing dia-
zer Solutions Founder Prasad Chin- taxes that bolster school systems and be resolved soon. Rep. Himes also logue with local communities.

www.TheIndianEYE.com