Elon Musk recently praised the contributions of talented Indians to the United States, stating that the country has greatly benefited from their skills. Speaking on a podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk highlighted challenges in the U.S. immigration system and the perception that immigrants are taking American jobs. He argued that in his experience, there is a constant shortage of highly skilled workers and that the presence of more talented individuals is a positive development.
Musk, who leads companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X, emphasized that his companies focus on hiring the best talent globally. Addressing concerns around the H-1B visa programme, he acknowledged that some outsourcing firms have exploited the system but insisted it should not be terminated. He warned that shutting it down would be harmful and stressed the need to stop abuse without restricting opportunity.
The H-1B visa has long allowed skilled professionals from countries like India and China to secure employment in the U.S., often leading to permanent residency. India continues to be the largest recipient of these visas, accounting for 71% of approvals last year. However, increasing visa costs and policy unpredictability under previous administrations have raised concerns among immigrants and businesses alike.
Musk also spoke about U.S. border policy, criticizing the lack of enforcement under President Biden. He argued that open borders lead to illegal immigration driven by financial incentives, creating negative impacts and urging for clear and firm border controls.
