Controversial Remarks by Indian-Origin Professor Stir H-1B Visa Debate

Ron Hira, a professor at Howard University and a long-time critic of the H-1B visa program, has once again questioned how the system operates in the United States. In a recent post on X, he stated that many H-1B holders are average-skilled workers who could be sourced locally within the U.S.

Hira, whose parents immigrated from India in the 1950s, noted that reforms are urgently needed. He pointed out that recent American graduates struggle to find relevant jobs even as artificial intelligence reshapes employment dynamics. He emphasized that the H-1B system should prioritize genuine labor shortages without undercutting wages or replacing American workers.

Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event, Hira explained that current policies too often benefit companies exploiting legal loopholes. He cited an example involving Deloitte Consulting, which labeled a “senior consultant” position as entry-level—potentially to offer lower wages, despite the job title suggesting otherwise.

His comments stirred significant online response. Some users questioned why a person of Indian origin would criticize a visa program largely populated by Indians. Others debated whether South Asians should be the spokespersons for immigration reform, while a few pointed out inconsistencies in corporate labor practices and political motivations.

Hira’s views continue to ignite conversation around the fairness and structure of the H-1B visa program, especially as labor markets evolve and new technologies emerge.

H-1B visa, Ron Hira, immigration reform, labor market, Indian immigrants