US visa laws applied consistently worldwide, State Department says amid H1B concerns

A senior US State Department official said American visa rules are not aimed at India. The official said the same laws apply to all countries. The remarks came as Indians in the US raised concerns about H1B visas. The official also addressed wider worries about immigration enforcement and public rhetoric.

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State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott spoke during a journalist roundtable. The New York Foreign Press Centre organised the meeting on Thursday. Pigott replied to a question on immigration issues. The question included anxiety among Indians living in the US on H1B visas.

US visa laws and India concerns

Pigott said the US did not have visa laws designed to single out India. Pigott described the rules as worldwide measures. Pigott said officials were applying them with clear guidance. Pigott added that equal treatment should reduce confusion for applicants.

"There are no visa laws that target India. These are global visa laws that are being implemented with clarity, clear instructions that are being applied across the board,\" he said.

US visa laws and consistent enforcement

Pigott said earlier administrations had uneven enforcement of visa rules. Pigott said that approach had ended. Pigott said the government was applying visa law in the same way everywhere. Pigott said the change was meant to provide clearer expectations.

\"When it comes to visas… what we had here for a long time with previous administrations going back was inconsistent application of visa law. That is no longer the case. We are consistently applying visa law across the board. I think that will offer clarity,\" State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

US visa laws and trade, investment, and jobs

Pigott said visa policy also involved working with other countries. Pigott said the US aimed to allow entry for trade and investment needs. Pigott said people also entered to work. Pigott said there were many examples with bilateral partners worldwide.

Pigott said job creation in the US also shaped visa decisions. Pigott said the US wanted Americans to benefit from opportunities. Pigott said other countries followed a similar approach. Pigott added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had stressed national interests.

\"We also are clear, as in any country, that if you are going to create a job in the US, that we want to make sure that Americans have opportunities there, and every country has a similar mentality,\" he said, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed that each country pursues its own national interests.

\"Of course, were going to facilitate and allow ways that people need to come in to facilitate investment, to train workers, and make sure that visa policies are in place to allow that to happen. Were applying the laws consistently across the board. There are no visa laws that target India specifically.We are going to make sure that when we have visa policies in place, that while we facilitate the entry of workers into the United States, we want to make sure, as any country would, that Americans in America, or name your country and their own citizens, have the opportunities of that investment as well,\" he said.

US visa laws and H1B scrutiny under Trump

During the Trump administration’s second term, immigration enforcement has tightened. The crackdown has included stricter requirements for immigrants on work visas. The measures have covered H1B visas. Many technology, medical, and other professionals from India use these visas to work in America.

Concerns have also grown over hateful rhetoric aimed at immigrants. The concern includes rhetoric targeting Indians. These reports have been linked to hardline immigration policies. Pigott’s comments focused on equal application of visa laws, while the administration keeps enforcing stricter checks.

With inputs from PTI