'Come Back, Let's Build India': Sridhar Vembu Reacts to US Green Card Freeze
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu calls on Indian tech talent in the US to return home after the US freezes green card sponsorships for major IT firms.
Zoho Corporation Founder and Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu has issued a powerful call to action for Indian technology professionals currently working in the United States. Following a significant decision by the US government to freeze green card sponsorship applications at several major technology firms, Vembu urged talented individuals to return to India to fuel the nation's technological growth.
A Shift in the Tech Landscape
The appeal comes in the wake of a major announcement by US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling. The US Labour Department has suspended several large technology companies from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM). This suspension freezes both new and pending green card sponsorship applications for the affected firms.
The list of companies impacted by this freeze includes major Indian IT giants such as:
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Infosys
- Wipro
- HCLTech
- Cognizant
- Capgemini
- Microsoft
- Adobe
The Human Cost of Visa Uncertainty
The US Labour Department attributed these suspensions to multiple active federal investigations. For the thousands of Indian professionals working on visas, the move introduces a period of intense uncertainty. Many have spent years building lives and careers in the US, only to face the sudden prospect of uprooting their entire existence.
Reflecting on the contributions made by the Indian diaspora, Vembu noted, “Indians have made a major contribution to America's technological prowess. Yet, a big part of America no longer wants us.” He expressed deep empathy for the professionals facing the painful reality of having to reconsider their long-term futures in a foreign land.
An Opportunity for India
Rather than seeing this as a setback, Vembu framed the situation as a potential turning point for India's own tech sector. He encouraged the diaspora to view this moment as a catalyst for national progress.
“Let this be the birth pains of a bold new future. Come back, let's build India,” Vembu stated.
While the current freeze does not halt H-1B applications under standard regulations, the broader political climate in the US has become increasingly critical of foreign labor programs. The US Vice President recently criticized the H-1B visa programme, suggesting it has become "rife with fraud" and was originally intended only for specialized roles that American workers could not fill.
As the landscape for permanent residency shifts, Vembu's remarks highlight a growing opportunity for India to attract highly experienced, world-class technology professionals to strengthen its domestic ecosystem.