Green Card; H-1B Visas Drive US Growth, Innovation: USISPF

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has defended the Green Card and H-1B visa programmes, describing them as key drivers of American economic growth and innovation. Its statement comes as the Trump administration intensifies scrutiny of legal immigration pathways.

The Washington-based organisation said the programmes generated $2.1 trillion in household income. They contributed hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes.

“The Green Card and H-1B programmes are major drivers of US growth and innovation. They strengthen America’s global competitiveness,” USISPF said.

Citing 2022 US Census Bureau data, the forum reported that eligible immigrants generated $2.1 trillion in combined household income. They paid $382.9 billion in federal taxes and $196.3 billion in state and local taxes. Their collective spending power reached $1.6 trillion.

The statement followed recent US Department of Labour action concerning the Permanent Labour Certification program, known as PERM, which supports employment-based permanent residency.

USISPF backed efforts to prevent immigration fraud but warned against ignoring immigrants’ economic contributions. “We fully support the administration’s efforts to prevent fraud and abuse in legal immigration programs,” it said, stressing that misconduct harms the domestic job market.

The forum highlighted Indian Americans, who represent 1.5 per cent of the US population but contribute six per cent of its gross domestic product. They co-founded 72 of the 648 American unicorn companies in 2024.

USISPF cited a White House ceremony where President Donald Trump presented National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology and Innovation to six innovators. Five were born abroad.

The organisation urged the United States to attract global technology talent while protecting domestic employment.

H-1B visas enable employers to recruit specialised foreign professionals, particularly in technology and engineering. Green Cards grant lawful permanent residency, while PERM certification supports employment-based immigration.

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