JD Vance Defends H-1B Remarks After India Protests

Vice President JD Vance defended his description of H-1B visa holders as "foreign indentured servants" during a CBS News town hall in Flat Rock, Michigan. Vance clarified that his remarks were a criticism of the U.S. corporate visa system and companies that exploit foreign professionals for cheap labor, rather than the workers themselves. He argued that the current system grants employers excessive power because a worker's visa is their only lifeline to the United States, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

The Indian government reacted strongly to the comments. The Ministry of External Affairs called the terminology "deeply offensive" due to its colonial legacy and stated that such descriptions ignore the contributions of highly skilled Indian professionals to the U.S. economy.

While acknowledging that his rhetoric had been "imperfect," Vance maintained that immigration policy must balance humanitarian needs with the interests of U.S. citizens. To soften the tension, he cited his personal connection to his South Indian in-laws as evidence that the U.S. can welcome immigrants while maintaining restrictions. This controversy follows a recent decision by Vance to suspend several firms, including Indian IT companies, from a green card application program.