Washington, DC: The United States has clarified that its immigration and visa regulations are not aimed at any particular country, including India, amid growing concerns among Indian professionals over stricter scrutiny of H-1B and other work visas.
Responding to questions on the issue, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the current administration is focused on implementing existing immigration laws uniformly rather than introducing policies targeting any specific nationality.
According to Pigott, previous administrations often faced criticism over inconsistent enforcement of visa regulations. He said the current approach is intended to ensure transparency and predictability by applying the same standards to applicants from every country.
“There are no visa laws that target India. These are global visa laws that are being implemented with clarity and applied consistently across the board,” Pigott said during an interaction with journalists.
US reiterates support for business and skilled workforce
The spokesperson stressed that the United States remains committed to facilitating travel for professionals, investors and skilled workers whose presence contributes to trade, innovation and economic cooperation.
He noted that visa policies are designed to support international business while also ensuring that employment opportunities remain available for American citizens.
Pigott said governments across the world follow similar principles by balancing foreign talent with domestic workforce priorities, adding that the US is no exception.
Concerns among Indian professionals
The clarification comes at a time when many Indian technology and healthcare professionals have expressed concerns over tighter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second administration.
The H-1B visa programme, widely used by Indian professionals working in sectors such as information technology, engineering, finance and medicine, has remained under increased scrutiny as the administration continues to emphasise stricter immigration compliance.
Industry observers have also pointed to heightened verification procedures and closer examination of visa applications, prompting uncertainty among thousands of foreign workers and employers.
No change in country-specific policy, says State Department
Despite concerns surrounding recent immigration measures, the State Department maintained that there has been no country-specific change affecting Indian applicants.
Officials reiterated that the objective is to ensure immigration laws are enforced fairly and consistently while continuing to support legitimate business travel, investment and professional exchanges.
The remarks are expected to provide some reassurance to Indian professionals and companies that depend on skilled worker visas, even as broader immigration policies continue to evolve under the current US administration.
