US Senator Marco Rubio defended the US Government’s 2026 changes to work visa regulations, stressing the policies prioritize American workers and national interests rather than targeting any specific country. Rubio clarified that the rules apply globally, stating, “It’s not one that’s focused on India…It happens to impact Indians that want to come to the United States and work…but it’s not geared towards India. It is global.”
Federal Suspension of IT Firms from Permanent Labour Certification Program
On October 9, 2026, the US Government suspended several major IT outsourcing firms from the Permanent Labour Certification Program, also known as the Green Card program. The affected companies include Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro,
HCL, and Capgemini. The US Department of Labor attributed the suspension to multiple active federal investigations into these companies.
Alongside these IT firms, US technology companies Microsoft and Adobe were also suspended from the same program. According to the Department of Labor, these companies have collectively submitted applications for millions of foreign workers and have received hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa approvals and permanent labor certifications.
New Fees Proposed for F-1 Visa Students
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed new fees for F-1 non-immigrant students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT). This measure is part of an effort to protect American workers and enhance the
integrity of the immigration system by regulating the influx of temporary foreign workers participating in OPT programs.
Rubio on Immigration Reform and National Priorities
Marco Rubio described the existing immigration system as broken and prone to abuse through business-related immigration programs that had enabled fraud. He said the 2026 visa changes aim to address these issues and emphasized the US Government’s intent to prioritize American workers under President Trump’s administration. Rubio stated, “I hope everyone understands that the United States under President Trump is going to put our people first, our workers first and our country first.”
India has expressed concerns about these US measures, emphasizing that
the movement of skilled professionals benefits both countries by fostering innovation, research, productivity, and job creation. However, Indian officials have indicated that the recent US regulations do not align with the shared objectives of the two nations.
