Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, expressed that the United States has greatly benefitted from the skills and intelligence of Indian professionals. Appearing on the ‘People by WTF’ podcast hosted by Nikhil Kamath, Musk praised the contributions of Indian-origin leaders like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai in driving US growth.
However, the discussion also touched on growing anti-immigration sentiment in the US. Musk attributed this to misuse of the H-1B visa program and past immigration policies that lacked structure, particularly under former administrations. He emphasized the importance of strong border controls for a functioning nation.
Musk acknowledged that while some outsourcing companies have exploited the H-1B system, the program itself remains valuable and shouldn’t be abolished. He stated that talented individuals are essential for tackling complex tasks and that his companies actively seek and adequately compensate such individuals.
Talking about the changing US immigration environment, Kamath pointed to recent policy shifts under Trump and the proposed increase in H-1B application fees. These changes pose challenges for Indian professionals, who have long relied on the program as a gateway to American opportunities.
Musk advised aspiring immigrants to focus on creating more value than they consume. According to him, anyone who is a net contributor to society deserves respect. He reiterated the importance of talent over cost-saving, emphasizing that his companies prioritize skill and quality over nationality.
Despite the challenges, Musk supports the continuation of the H-1B visa program with necessary reforms to prevent misuse and ensure it benefits both the US and skilled workers from countries like India.
