Elon Musk has once again highlighted the important role skilled Indian professionals play in the U.S. economy. In a podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk discussed global talent and criticized flaws in America’s immigration policies, especially the H-1B visa system.
Musk called for effective border control, stating that lax enforcement under the Biden administration has led to increased illegal immigration, driven by financial incentives and public benefits. He stressed that without borders, “you’re not a country.”
At the same time, Musk emphasized that companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X rely heavily on top talent from around the world. He rejected the idea that foreign professionals take away American jobs, citing a constant shortage of highly skilled workers in the U.S. and the challenges in recruiting them.
On the H-1B visa programme, Musk acknowledged that some firms misuse it but argued for reforms instead of cancellation. He stressed the need to stop system abuse while retaining the programme to attract exceptional talents, especially from India and China.
The H-1B debate gained momentum after former President Trump proposed increasing application costs to $100,000 from the earlier $2,000–$5,000. Supporters say this would prevent fraud, but critics believe it would limit access for qualified global candidates. Trump later clarified that skilled workers are still essential, particularly for high-tech industries like chip manufacturing.
India continues to dominate the H-1B visa pool, receiving 71% of all approvals last year, followed by China with 11.7%. With visas valid for up to six years, these professionals help fill critical roles in U.S. tech companies. Musk’s comments underscore the ongoing debate between securing borders and welcoming global talent vital for innovation and growth.
