TCS Warns 'Long-Term Challenge' Over Sending Back of Foreign Students From US

Multinational information technology service Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) warns of long term challenges over deportation of foreign students from U.S. for tech firms.

They warned that such a move could impact technology development, who rely on American universities for talent. Meanwhile, the leading firm stated that US President Donald Trump's move to stop H1-B visas, widely used by software professionals, is "unfortunate and unfair". 

"In the long term, based on how the situation evolves, we anticipate challenges from a sourcing perspective as a fair share of students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and medicine) are international students," Milind Lakkad, its global head for human resources said. 

Further giving his point of view over the move, Milind Lakkad said, the treatment of international students and potential changes in the optional practical training (OPT) "will have an impact not only on us but also technology development in the US". 

Currently, the US has issued new guidelines barring foreign students from remaining in America if their universities switched to online-only classes, which later prompted Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to sue the Department of Homeland Security and the federal immigration agency.

Highlitening about the advantages that TCS helps in the economy, Lakkad asserted that associates hired by companies such as TCS contribute significantly to the US economy. This is done by helping in running major banks, retailers, telecom firms and also manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, on the proclamation to stop H1-B visas, Lakkad said the US president's move is "unfortunate and unfair", but it will not have any impact for the company in the short term as TCS has a strong system of delivering talent within the US.

"It is important for all the stakeholders to understand that the proclamation is causing enormous uncertainty and anxiety to associates," he added.

Among most of the leading countries, the US is the biggest market for the USD 180-billion software sector, who employs over 40 lakh people every year.