US Congressman slams 'chaotic' H-1B move, singles out Trump official: 'Sounds like something he'd come up with ...'

Democratic Congressman Ami Bera

Democratic Congressman Ami Bera has come down heavily on the Trump administration’s recent H-1B visa order, calling it harmful to American companies and disruptive for the Indian-American community.

Speaking to Indian Express during his visit to India this week, where he is leading a Congressional delegation, Bera said, “I don’t agree with the policy because it’s actually going to hurt American companies. These are workers who are filling vital roles and positions. Hiking visa fees to $100,000 is unheard of for something like this.”

He described the rollout as “chaotic”, saying that the Trump administration should "slow down" and "think through" its actions.

Bera said the policy also risks splitting families in California’s large Indian-American community.

“Congress was not informed ahead of time. We’re going to talk to the folks on the various committees in Congress, and ask the administration to provide some clarity. It doesn’t reflect well on American policy,” he told the newspaper.

Bera singled out White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, saying, “It sounds like something Peter Navarro would come up with ... I don’t think rhetoric like that is helpful in the relationship. And if I’m speaking to the Indian side, I’d say just ignore Peter Navarro, except that he’s in the administration.”

Navarro recently described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “New Delhi’s war,” a remark Bera said senior US officials should not be making. The remark also drew heavy backlash from Indian politicians.

The US Congressman also questioned the Trump administration’s recent trade and sanctions moves. “For almost 14 years, I’ve been in Congress, and the US-India trajectory has been moving in a decidedly positive direction ... I’m not sure what’s driving this in the last 2-3 months,” he said.

On tariffs, Bera added, “It doesn’t make any strategic sense to single out India in this way. Most of us in Congress, Democrats and Republicans, see the importance of India’s economic rise. But we also see the importance of India as a stabilising influence in not just South Asia, but also throughout the Indo-Pacific.”

However, despite recent frictions, Bera held out hope for the long-term importance of the bilateral partnership. “President Trump can be chaotic at times, and what he says today could be very different from what he says tomorrow ... But let’s keep our eye on the long-term. The relationship has to last beyond any one presidency. How the Congress views this relationship is equally important,” he said.

He added that a Modi-Trump meeting could help. “Whether Prime Minister Modi goes to the US or President Trump comes here, the two leaders are fond of each other. I genuinely believe they like each other, and have some respect; this is a hiccup,” Bera said.