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Indian-origin woman presses JD Vance on H-1B; he admits rhetoric was imperfect

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Nivriti Agaram, an Indian-origin graduate of George Washington University, pressed Vice President JD Vance on the controversial H-1B visa issue during a CBS News Town Hall. Vance, however, admitted that his rhetoric against the H-1B visa holders was not perfect and that he did not mean to say it about all H-1B visa holders but a section of them. He explained that companies bring foreign workers to fill jobs that Americans are unwilling to do, and then hold them on a bond, which is not fair to the workers. Vance cited the Indian origin of his in-laws and said he is not vilifying the immigration system; he just wants to ensure social cohesion. He also mentioned that if too many people come to…

Key points

  • Vance acknowledged the imperfect nature of his rhetoric.: Vance acknowledged the imperfect nature of his rhetoric.
  • He clarified that the criticism was not intended to target individuals but companies.: He clarified that the criticism was not intended to target individuals but companies.
  • He emphasized the need to ensure social cohesion and change the country's character by im…: He emphasized the need to ensure social cohesion and change the country's character by immigration.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Nivriti Agaram, a graduate of George Washington University, told Vice President

JD Vance that her first vote after she became a US citizen was for Trump-Vance. At a CBS News Town Hall, Niv Agaram told Vance that she voted for him because of border safety, drugs and trafficking issues, and not because she thought immigrants actually take away jobs from Americans. "After seeing ICE behave like military police and then you recently called H-1B visa workers foreign indentured servants -- I think Americans are anything but safe," Niv said, asking why the administration was "scapegoating" immigrants for the issues the government should be solving.

JD Vance conceded that his rhetoric against the H-1B visa holders was not perfect, and he did not mean to say it about all H-1B visa holders but a section of them. Explaining the entire issue of companies bringing foreign workers, wrongfully claiming that there are no Americans available for these jobs and then holding the workers almost on a bond, Vance said that when he used the term "indentured servants", it was not to criticize the individuals, but the companies.

Vance then cited the Indian origin of his in-laws and said he is not vilifying the immigration system; he just wants to ensure social cohesion.

He said if too many people come to the US, even if they are good people, it changes the country in very profound ways. “I don't think it's unreasonable for an American citizen to want to share their community with people they have something in common with,” Vance said. “And I think our immigration system has to build that.

Who is Niv Agaram?

As she said, Niv's family immigrated to the US around 20 years ago and she became a citizen five years ago. She has been vocal against ICE atrocities and has taken part in anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. From Washington DC. she flew to Minneapolis to take part in anti-ICE protests. “This is not the America I voted for,” she said at that time to The Free Press.

Original source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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