Elon Musk has praised the impact of skilled Indian professionals on America’s development, noting that the United States has greatly benefitted from their talents. Speaking on the “People by WTF” podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk discussed issues around US immigration policies, particularly the H-1B visa program. He suggested that some past administrations adopted a “free-for-all” approach, leading to misuse of the system.
Musk’s comments come as thousands of Indians pursuing education and careers in the US face rising challenges due to stricter visa rules. Addressing concerns that foreign workers take away American jobs, Musk said, “I don’t know how real that is.” He emphasized that there’s a consistent shortage of skilled people, adding, “More talented people would be good.”
The billionaire, who leads companies like Tesla and SpaceX, said he aims to hire the “most talented people in the world” regardless of nationality. Regarding the H-1B visa, Musk acknowledged there is system abuse by some outsourcing firms but argued against shutting it down. “We need to stop the gaming of the system,” he said, “but ending H-1B would be very bad.”
The H-1B visa has long served as a gateway for skilled professionals from India and other countries into the US workforce. In the previous year, Indians made up 71% of approved H-1B recipients. The visa allows for employment in the US for up to six years.
Recent policy changes, including proposals to significantly raise visa application fees, have sparked debate. However, some signs of a more open stance toward skilled immigrants have also emerged, especially in advanced tech fields like semiconductors and defense.
