Setting tough conditions for US firms hiring overseas professionals, a Bill has been introduced in the Senate on reforming the H-1B and L1 visa programmes, under which American qualified workers are needed to be given a chance first, a move that could dampen hopes of aspiring Indians.

The Bill, introduced by Senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin, requires all employers who want to hire an H-1B guest worker to first make a "good faith" attempt to recruit a qualified American worker. Employers would be prohibited from using H-1B visa holders to displace qualified American workers. "Our bill will put a stop to the outsourcing of American jobs and discrimination against American workers," Senator Durbin said.