Rubio Defends U.S. Immigration Changes During India Visit

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday in New Delhi that U.S. immigration reforms are being applied globally and are not targeted at India. Rubio acknowledged that the changes may have a disproportionate impact on India because it supplies many high-skilled workers to the U.S. economy.

He described the measures as part of a broader effort to modernize the migration system after more than 20 million people entered the country illegally in recent years.

During the news conference, Rubio stated that every country must shape its immigration policy according to its national interest. He noted that roughly one million people become permanent U.S. residents each year and that Indian companies have invested over $20 billion in the U.S. economy.

Rubio said the United States remains the most welcoming country in the world on immigration and urged patience during the transition period. He added that the reforms aim to create a more efficient and sustainable system that will ultimately benefit applicants from India as well.

Indian officials told Rubio about challenges legitimate travelers face with visa issuance. They stressed that while cooperation on illegal migration continues, legal mobility should not be adversely affected because it supports business, technology, and research ties.

Rubio responded that any major reform produces temporary friction points and that the United States is modernizing its system for the 21st century. He dismissed allegations of anti-India racism as comments from "stupid people" that do not reflect official policy.

“What I want to leave clear is that the changes, while they may be having a disproportionate impact on a place like India that provides so many high-skilled workers to the U.S. economy, it is not a system that is targeted at India.”

“I apprised Secretary Rubio of challenges that legitimate travelers face in respect of visa issuance.”