JD Vance admits H-1B remarks were imperfect as India’s sharp rebuke

By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday has acknowledged that his language was imperfect after India strongly objected to his description of H-1B visa workers as “indentured servants”, clarified that his criticism was directed at American employers and the immigration system rather than foreign professionals.

Vance warned that employer-linked immigration arrangements can leave foreign workers vulnerable to losing their legal status if they challenge their companies.

The clarification came during a CBS News town hall, where Vance faced questions about his earlier remarks, which had drawn a sharp response from New Delhi over their historical and colonial connotations.

“To the extent that my rhetoric has been imperfect here, that’s on me,” Vance said.

He acknowledged concerns over his choice of words.

Vance maintained that his remarks were intended to highlight the power companies can exercise over foreign employees whose ability to remain in the United States depends on their immigration status.

Vance said the criticism was “not a criticism of the H-1B holder”, but of companies that hire foreign workers under arrangements that can leave them vulnerable to pressure from their employers.

He argued that some firms replace American employees with foreign workers who may hesitate to challenge their employers because losing their jobs could also put their ability to remain in the country at risk.

Vance said such circumstances give employers excessive control over their workers.

He also sought to clarify his broader position on immigration, saying, “My goal here is not to dehumanize any immigrant.”

Vance continued to defend the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, arguing that the scale of immigration can have significant consequences for American communities.

The controversy began after Vance used the expression “indentured servants” during an October 8 news conference on alleged visa abuses.

He accused companies of exploiting immigration provisions to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.

Vance claimed that H-1B workers earned less than American citizens employed in comparable positions, with the wage difference particularly pronounced among workers recruited by foreign outsourcing companies.

His remarks prompted a strong response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs on October 9.

India ministry rejected the description of foreign professionals and stressed the economic and technological contributions made by Indian workers in the United States.

“We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem,” the MEA said.

India also objected to the historical implications of Vance’s language, arguing that it overlooked the role immigrants have played in America’s development.

“Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,” the ministry said.

New Delhi stressed that the movement of skilled professionals benefits both countries and should be viewed in the wider context of their economic and technological relationship.