US Suspends Indian IT Firms From PERM Programme Amid Growing Trade and Tariff Tensions

Gist The US government has suspended major Indian IT firms from the PERM programme, restricting a primary pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers. This immigration crackdown, combined with a new US law threatening massive tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy, signals a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions. For UPSC aspirants, this development highlights the mounting structural pressures on the India-US strategic partnership, where cooperation is currently being overshadowed by American protectionism across labour mobility, energy security, and services exports. Background The PERM Program Electronic Review Management system is a critical regulatory mechanism in the US immigration process, serving as the first step for foreign workers to obtain an employment-based green card permanent residency . Prior to this suspension, the US administration had already begun erecting barriers to foreign labour mobility, most notably by imposing a steep $100,000 fee on H-1B visas last year. Economically, India relies heavily on its software and services exports to generate foreign exchange and manage its current account. Simultaneously, India relies on discounted Russian crude oil to ensure domestic energy security and manage inflation.…