After H-1B blow, another hit? US Senators propose tariffs on Indian shrimp exports

The move follows Cassidy’s efforts at a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, where he secured a commitment from Treasury nominee Jonathan Greenstein to back Louisiana shrimp producers.

US Senators Bill Cassidy and Cindy Hyde-Smith have introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act in Congress, aiming to curb what they describe as unfair trade practices by India that threaten Louisiana’s shrimp and catfish industries.

The proposed legislation seeks to counter the dumping of Indian shrimp into US markets, which the lawmakers argue undermines domestic producers. “By leveling the playing field, this bill protects Louisiana seafood and the jobs that depend on it,” Cassidy said, adding that local shrimpers and catfish farmers maintain far higher standards.

Hyde-Smith echoed the concern, saying that unchecked imports have hurt U.S. shrimpers, processors, and consumers. “This bill will put our domestic industry on a more level playing field,” she said.

The move follows Cassidy’s efforts at a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week, where he secured a commitment from Treasury nominee Jonathan Greenstein to back Louisiana shrimp producers. Earlier this year, Cassidy and fellow Republicans introduced another bill targeting Indian and Chinese rice exports, underscoring a growing push against agricultural imports from Asia.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump issued a new presidential proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” introducing sweeping changes to the H-1B visa programme. The order, which takes effect on September 21, imposes a steep annual fee of $ 100,000 on H-1B applications — a move framed by the administration as a crackdown on “systemic abuse.”

The proclamation, one of the most aggressive overhauls yet of the skilled worker visa system, significantly raises the financial and compliance burden on companies hiring foreign professionals, particularly in the IT and tech sectors.

With nearly 71–72% of all H-1B visas going to Indians, the fee increase is expected to hit Indian professionals the hardest. Analysts warn this could dent India’s remittance inflows, which stood at $125 billion in 2023, while also forcing IT majors like TCS, Infosys and Wipro — heavily reliant on H-1B visas — to reassess hiring strategies or shift more jobs back to India.

Beyond corporate costs, the move could disrupt a crucial pathway of upward mobility for many Indian families. H-1B visas have long been a bridge to economic and social progress, often leading to permanent residency and citizenship in the US.