Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes Support GOPIO’s Stand on H-1B Visa Issue

(New York, NY: October 12, 2025) 

The Connecticut Chapter the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) held virtual meeting with Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes (CT 4^th District) on October 9th, 2025 on “H-1B Visa Fee Hike of $100,000.” The meeting was attended by GOPIO-CT and GOPIO International officials as well as members and those businesses who have been affected by this new decision by the Trump Administration.

The meeting was held at the initiative GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, who also serves as Trustee and Advisor to the chapter. In his remarks, Dr. Abraham said that, according to public information from Chat GPT, the H-1B program annually benefited the USA with over $200 billion while the cost was only $8.5 billion.

Dr. Abraham said, “By making it difficult for highly qualified people to work in the USA, the country will lose out in the long run if they take employment in Canada, German and China, which have offered to take them.”

Dr. Abraham also brought community’s concerns on the tardiness on the US-India dialogue to resolving bilateral issues.

GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani told of the negative impact of the H-1B rules on small businesses since the larger corporations can afford to pay the $100,000 fees, but cost will be unbearable for small and medium businesses. Jhangiani also expressed his concerns on the anti-India policies of the Trump Administration.

Two GOPIO-CT members Panzer Solutions Founder Prasad Chintalapudi and Cameron Engineers President Shailesh Naik brought to the attention of Congressman Himes that the new fee hike will harm small companies who hire highly qualified tech people.

Panzer Solutions employs H-1B visa holders. Chintalapudi, who is also a trustee of GOPIO-CT, said that many small and medium companies who have H-1B visas holders on their pay roll have been creating local employment and keeping jobs in the USA. He also said that many CEOs of large companies including Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Aravind Krishna emerged from H1B program.

Attorney Nandita Ruchandani who spoke on behalf of Cameron Engineers said that H-1B holders included doctors and other healthcare professionals in undeserved areas, teachers, accountants, and engineers as well as tech workers. H-1B immigrants pay into the social security system but can never access that money until they become permanent residents. They own houses and pay taxes that bolster school systems and other social services. H-1B holders are often employed by American businesses that will have to shut down because the profit margin is just not enough to justify paying the $100,000 fee. For example, small engineering firms that build and repair municipal water systems are limited to what they can pay by what they can charge the local government.

“The chaos caused by the sudden imposition of this huge fee has already disrupted many lives and businesses,” Ruchandani added.

Also, speaking at the virtual meeting was Dr. S.K. Lo, Chairperson of Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) who said that such issues have to be taken unitedly and AAUC is willing to support.

Congressman Himes, who is in his ninth term, serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and on the House Financial Services Committee. In his reply, Congressmen Himes said that he fully supported our views and that the issues in US-India Relations have to be resolved soon. Rep. Himes also agreed with Dr. Abraham that many highly qualified people would leave the USA which will be great loss of our country.

On an audience question about current status of USA relation with India, Rep. Himes has said that the cooperation with India still continues in Commerce, Trade and Defense.

Over the last 20 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.