Elon Musk voiced his support for the H-1B visa program during a podcast discussion with Nikhil Kamath. He emphasized the positive contributions of talented Indian professionals to the United States, stating that America has benefited significantly from their skills. However, Musk also acknowledged that some companies misuse the system to cut labor costs, turning the visa program into a cost-saving tool rather than a platform for attracting talent.
He explained that there is a consistent demand for skilled workers, as companies like his often struggle to find the right talent for complex tasks. “We have difficulty finding enough talented people, so more talented people would be good,” Musk noted. He asserted that his companies focus on hiring the best global talent and offer above-average compensation, thereby not partaking in system abuse.
Musk criticized firms using H-1B visas purely to reduce expenses, describing it as “gaming the system” and stating that this undermines the visa’s original intention. He stressed the need to address this misuse rather than discard the entire program, highlighting that ending it could harm American innovation and competitiveness.
On the broader topic of immigration, Musk criticized the Biden administration’s policies, calling them a “total free-for-all” and warning of the risks of having no border controls. He pointed out the contrasting views on immigration between political parties—one advocating open borders and the other concerned about job losses to immigrants.
Musk concluded that while improvements are necessary, skilled immigration through programs like H-1B remains vital for America’s future.
