Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has urged Indians working in the US to return home and help build India after the US government suspended major Indian IT companies, including TCS and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification programme, or PERM. The programme is a key step in the employer-sponsored Green Card process.
CEO of Zoho Corporation, Sridhar Vembu, expressed concern about the impact of the decision on Indians working in the US on visas. (Image via Twitter)
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In a post on X, Vembu highlighted the contribution Indians have made to the US economy and technology sector over the past decades. “Indians have made a major contribution to America's technological prowess,” he wrote. However, he added, “Yet, a big part of America no longer wants us."
Why did Sridhar Vembu urge Indian tech workers in the US to return to India?
Vembu pointed to the US suspension of PERM applications at major technology companies and the uncertainty it creates for Indian workers seeking permanent residency. He urged them to return and contribute to India's growth.
Does the US PERM freeze cancel existing H-1B visas?
The freeze does not appear to directly affect current H-1B visas or their holders' status. It can, however, block a common employer-sponsored route from an H-1B visa to permanent residency for eligible workers at the affected companies.
Which companies are affected by the US suspension of PERM applications?
The suspension covers Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL Technologies, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini. The US Labor Department said it would not accept new or process pending PERM applications involving these companies.
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Vembu also expressed concern about the impact of the decision on Indians working in the US on visas. He said they faced the painful prospect of leaving behind the lives they had built through years of hard work.
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“Indians who are on a visa in the US face the painful prospect of uprooting the life you have built with hard work,” the Zoho founder wrote.
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“Indians who are on a visa in the US face the painful prospect of uprooting the life you have built with hard work,” the Zoho founder wrote.
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Vembu suggested that this could be the right time for Indians working in the US to return home and contribute to India's growth. “Let this be the birth pains of a bold new future,” he said, adding, “Come back, let's build India.”
US green card curbs
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The Trump administration froze on Thursday some Green Card filings by eight firms, including India’s Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys, and opened probes into nine elite universities, widening a visa crackdown it says targets fraud and American job losses.
The twin actions mark the broadest strike yet against skilled-worker immigration programmes, potentially blocking a common path to permanent residency for thousands of foreign tech workers, including Indians, in the US while putting some of the country’s most prominent research universities on notice.
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Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the suspension would cover Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini.
The freeze does not appear to directly affect current holders of H-1B visas, which allow companies to employ foreign workers temporarily. But it could block a common route by which employers sponsor those workers for permanent residency.
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.
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Home/World News/'Come back, let's build India': Sridhar Vembu urges Indian techies to return after US Green Card freeze
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