Hyderabad Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi, has issued a grave warning regarding the recent H1-B visa restrictions enacted through an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump. He believes these new rules will have significant and widespread repercussions for India, with a particularly harsh impact on the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The AIMIM president highlighted on X (formerly Twitter) that Indians have historically been the primary recipients of H1-B visas, securing an estimated 71-72% of all such allocations.
He further emphasized that the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have traditionally played a dominant role within the H1-B visa landscape.
Owaisi noted that the average annual salary for Indian H1-B visa holders stands at approximately $120,000.
These earnings, he argued, represent much more than mere figures for families in India. They are a vital source of income, a path to improved generational opportunities, and a substantial driver of India’s impressive $125 billion in annual remittance inflows.
He elaborated that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone contribute a significant 37% of all Indian Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits, directly bolstering the nation’s massive remittance economy.
Critiquing the Union government’s approach to foreign policy, Mr. Owaisi specifically referenced high-profile events like ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Namaste Trump,’ questioning what tangible benefits these spectacles brought to India.
He clarified, “This isn’t about Trump’s decision; he acted in his country’s best interest. My contention is with our own government. What was achieved by gathering so many NRIs at Madison Square Garden? Mere birthday wishes do not equate to successful foreign policy.”
Owaisi asserted that the termination of H1-B visas was a deliberate move targeting Indians. He views the U.S. willingness to jeopardize its relationship with India as evidence that they no longer value India’s strategic importance.
He stressed that the H1-B visa policy shift should not be viewed as an isolated incident.
Instead, he argued, it forms part of a broader pattern, alongside U.S. tariffs imposed on India, agreements with Pakistan, and Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia.
While critical, Mr. Owaisi clarified that he takes no satisfaction from these unfolding events.
He stated, “This is not an attempt to score political points. However, our government must seriously evaluate why India is encountering such significant challenges in both foreign policy and national security.”
He concluded with a sharp critique: “Ultimately, it is not Modi who bears the consequences, but ordinary Indians. You have squandered our nation’s long-term advantages for the sake of internal political theatrics. The period from 2014 to 2024 has unfortunately been a lost decade for India.”