U.S. Tightens Visa Rules; Rubio Reassures India

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that U.S. immigration reforms are not aimed at India even as Indian officials raised concerns about tighter visa rules. Rubio spoke at a news conference in New Delhi after meeting with Indian counterparts. He acknowledged that the policy shifts may affect Indian applicants more than others because India supplies many high-skilled workers to the United States.

"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," Rubio said. " He added that the United States is modernizing its immigration system for the 21st century and that the overhaul is long overdue.

Indian officials told Rubio they expect legal travel and business cooperation to continue without new barriers. They noted that Indian companies have invested more than $20 billion in the U.S. economy and that many Indian professionals contribute to technology and research partnerships.

Rubio said roughly one million people become permanent U.S. residents each year and stressed that the country remains welcoming to legal immigrants.

Rubio warned that any major change in immigration rules will create short-term friction. He urged patience while the new system is put in place. "We’re in a period of transition, and like any period of transition there’s going to be some bumps on that road," he said.

Rubio also dismissed online comments suggesting anti-India bias, saying every country has people who make foolish remarks. "There are stupid people in the United States that make dumb comments all the time," he said.