World American man reveals Indian CEO took over a firm, booted out founders, hired Indians. Post goes viral amid H1B visa debate

[Sharma Ji]

Amid immigration debate in MAGA camp, Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu cracks the code on rising talent migration from India

2 min read
30 Dec 2024, 02:38 PM IST

Riya R Alex

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho, highlights that talent migration in India is a result of rising aspirations during economic growth. He compares this trend to historical patterns in Korea and China, stating that such migration signifies progress.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu believes that the rising talent migration from India is not a symptom of hopelessness.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has expressed several reasons for talent migration out of India. In a post on LinkedIn, Vembu said that the rising number of people migrating from India is not a concern amid the MAGA debate regarding an issue between certain factions of President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration policies.

Vembu explained the migration patterns in Korea and China.

“First, historic patterns. Talent migration from Korea/Taiwan to the US peaked in the 1970s and 80s (Japanese migration to the US peaked much earlier), talent migration from China peaked about 10 years ago. That was the time of rapid development and transformation of those nations," Vembu wrote.

According to Vembu, talent migration is very high during a phase of rapid development in a country.

“When a country is extremely underdeveloped, talent migration is very low. When a country is very wealthy, talent migration is also very low. Talent migration peaks during the period of rapid development," he said.

A similar pattern can be observed in Silicon Valley as well.

“This is observable in Silicon Valley where migrants from India now well outpace those from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan," he added.

According to Vembu, people's growing aspirations result in rapid economic growth, which in turn results in restlessness. Such restlessness boosts migration. This pattern is currently being observed in India.

What is the reason?

“Why does this happen? Rapid economic development is preceded by and happens due to rising aspiration levels; and talent migration also happens due to rising aspiration levels. Our aspirations necessarily race ahead of reality and it is precisely during the period of rapid growth that we have the most restless people, and it is the restless spirits who tend to migrate. We can observe that restlessness in India, particularly in urban tech centres," Vembu posted.

However, he said, this migration slows down once an economy realises its full potential.

“Eventually when the full economic potential is realised, talent migration slows down or stops entirely. This pattern has been seen repeatedly," he added.

“As late as the 1980s, Japanese still refused to believe Japan had achieved parity with the West. Same with Korea in the late 1990s," Vembu wrote.

“I predict that even in 2035 with a per capita GDP upwards of $10K, Indians will likely lament how far behind we are. The last stage of catch up happens quickly over a decade (witness China is the last decade) but the foundations have to be laid over many previous decades and those previous decades feel like a slog. We are slogging through that now in India. To summarise, rising talent migration from India is not a symptom of hopelessness, it is the opposite," the Zoho CEO added.

https://www.livemint.com/companies/...-migration-from-india/amp-11735547761687.html

Its about lifestyle, freedom, many other things that money can not buy

our society is such, suffocated fuddu log pancho

 

[Sharma Ji]

KLP Dingalunga no want return home after kolleze and degree in Ummrikka

US ke baad ghar aa ke apni mummi papa ki sunega koi ?

spl if mummy papa are cvntservative regressive weirdos

only srs paisey wallas play that game now, beech walas flocking to greener pastures, dalit types are cursed to remain miserable forever anyway

 

[Bagheera0084]

Indian Govt on alert over H-1B row, taking feedback from IT firms

Pankaj Doval | TNN | Dec 31, 2024, 05:32 IST

The Indian government is vigilantly monitoring the situation of Indian H-1B visa holders in the US amid backlash and profiling of IT and management professionals. This involves collaboration between the ministries of external affairs, commerce, and IT to ensure that legal Indian workers are not adversely impacted by evolving American visa policies under Donald Trump's administration.

NEW DELHI: Government is keeping a close watch of the backlash against Indian H-1B visa holders in the US and profiling of IT and management professionals, and the developments are being closely monitored by the ministry of external affairs and commerce department apart from the IT ministry, to ensure there is no "unpleasant issue" against those working legally.

"We shouldn't have a situation where there is an unpleasant issue which is created for our Indian workers who are (working) there legally. That is something that the government is constantly concerned about," a government source told TOI. The IT ministry is also involved in the process and is taking feedback from large software companies as well as relevant industry associations such as Nasscom to undersrtand the situation on the ground, the sources added.

"We would like to make sure that our competitive position in that regard is not affected. And definitely that other factors should not come in the way of legal frameworks, even from an American setup," the sources said.

Government is also keeping a watch on how the American visa policies, especially for IT and tech, management, and other qualified professionals, evolves as Donald Trump returns to White House.

"So to that extent, we don't want to look at it as more restrictions and so on. We have to look at it as how the American policy also pans out," a source said. The sources said that the government also wants to highlight how multi-national companies - including from the US - are setting up global capability centres (GCCs) in India, in a clear pointer to the need to have qualified Indian professionals in their midst. The fact that they are setting up GCCs in India shows that they are keen to hire qualified Indian workers for cutting-edge work, they added.

MEA is taking updates from the Indian mission in the US, to have a better grip on the situation.

There has been a massive backlash in the US after Trump announced the appointment of Chennai-born Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on AI, with people such as far-right activist Laura Loomer claiming that H-1B visa holders are taking away jobs from qualified Americans which is against the "America First" agenda of the incoming Republican dispensation.

However, as a controversy started to build up, Loomer's attacks were rebuffed by none other Trump himself, and also by Elon Musk - a top American businessman and a close confidante of the incoming President. Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said, "I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favour of the visas. That's why we have them... I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program."

Govt on alert over H-1B row, taking feedback from IT firms - Times of India

The Indian government is vigilantly monitoring the situation of Indian H-1B visa holders in the US amid backlash and profiling of IT and management professionals. This involves collaboration between the ministries of external affairs, commerce, and IT to ensure that legal Indian workers are not...

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[Bagheera0084]

America's H1B protectionism is set to benefit India. Here's why

Indians seeking H1B work visas in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India like it did in the 1990s and 2000s.

by Madhavan Narayanan
Updated 31 Dec 2024 13:52 IST

Officially, H1B visas are long-term non-immigrant permits for those engaged in speciality occupations that require high skills. (File photo) Photograph: (Reuters)

Anyone watching the ideological shootout within the American right wing as Donald Trump gets set to take charge for a second term in the White House should realise a simple truth: the United States is entering an era of all-round protectionism, spanning capital flows, consumer goods and labour.

Unless Trump does a careful balancing act or a U-turn, we are heading for a year of serious policy changes officially aimed at his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda but in effect challenging the business-as-usual style in which Silicon Valley has led a global surge in technology and innovation, helping US domination in the world economy.

But the inference from this would be more complex than it may appear at first sight.

As I see it, once the game gets down to details, Indians (and others from outside the US) seeking H1B work visas and better lifestyles in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India like it did in the 1990s and 2000s when "offshoring" became hot.

The difference is that this time, India is in an even better position to tap opportunities because the size of skilled and experienced knowledge professionals, infrastructure development, and communications bandwidth are far superior.

Officially, H1B visas are long-term non-immigrant permits for those engaged in speciality occupations that require high skills.

The year 2024 is ending in America with serious disagreements between the folks we call Trumpists. Technology billionaire Elon Musk officially supports the H1B visa as a vehicle to attract talent on merit, but has calibrated his position to seek "reform" in the system after a backlash post that says the H1B programme is only aimed at recruiting technology and financial service professionals at "relatively low wages" and not to draw "top talent."

That should not make sense on close examination.

Better work that produces better results attracts better wages -- and quibbling over what is "top talent" is a difficult game to play where employers are ordinarily the best judges of what talent is. But the pushback Musk is facing is symptomatic of the protectionism in which an "America first" policy for local citizens (Read: mostly white, less competitive technology workers) are expected to get priority.

Former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon wants an outright scrapping of H1B visas and has even issued a warning to Vivek Ramaswamy and Musk, the co-chiefs of Trump's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).

To leave little to doubt on the kind of hate that is going around against Indians, there is a viral video of far-right commentator Stew Peters and comedian Leonarda Jonie spewing venomous racism against Indian immigrants.

With that kind of atmosphere, H1B may be a difficult thing to sustain and even more difficult to grow. Trump is certainly in a bind.

Musk wants to raise the minimum salary for H1B visa approvals but that is hardly of relevance beyond a point. Last year, as much as 69% of those gaining from H1B visas with a salary below $100,000 per year were Indians. The number of employees covered by H1B visas totalled less than 54,000 of which 65% were for "computer-related" operations.

Now, contrast that with some interesting data on global capability centres (GCC) of multinational companies functioning in or from India. According to industry association Nasscom, as many as 1,700 GCCs in India employed nearly 1.9 milllion people in the fiscal year ended March 2024, generating more than $64 billion in annual revenues. The government's economic survey for the year said as many as 42% of GCC employees were engaged in engineering, research and development. A study by consulting firm Zinnov noted that these included artificial intelligence and machine learning experts needed at the cutting edge of global business.

In plain English, India now has the scale, base and processes necessary to absorb all the H1B visa holders hired over the past decade, should that need arise. Some enhanced infrastructure facilities may be a clincher, but that is relatively easy in the current scenario.

It is a naive thought to imagine that businesses deploying capital would meekly accept the narrow-minded Trumpists who do not understand the larger dynamics in a world in which everything from cryptocurrency to robotics and genomics needs a solid technologically educated workforce. If not India, they may settle for other countries to deploy or hire talent. European countries are already waking up to the prospect of hiring talented Indians.

The irony is that in defending less than 100,000 jobs per year on a liberal count, the United States, which has a total of 168 million people in its civilian workforce, may be losing its grip on global technological leadership -- not to speak of small business growth aided by guest workers and rich immigrants.

Extreme-right Trumpists seem to be adept at cutting America's nose to spite its technological face. It is their choice.

P.S. On the downside of H1B returnees, Indians may have to worry more about narrow local roads choked with outsized Audis, Jaguars and BMWs, unless the government puts new-age cities on a fast-track model.

America's H1B protectionism is set to benefit India. Here's why

Opinion | Indians seeking H1B work visas in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India

www.wionews.com

[/B][/B]

 

[Krishna with Flute]

America's H1B protectionism is set to benefit India. Here's why

Indians seeking H1B work visas in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India like it did in the 1990s and 2000s.

by Madhavan Narayanan
Updated 31 Dec 2024 13:52 IST

Officially, H1B visas are long-term non-immigrant permits for those engaged in speciality occupations that require high skills. (File photo) Photograph: (Reuters)

Anyone watching the ideological shootout within the American right wing as Donald Trump gets set to take charge for a second term in the White House should realise a simple truth: the United States is entering an era of all-round protectionism, spanning capital flows, consumer goods and labour.

Unless Trump does a careful balancing act or a U-turn, we are heading for a year of serious policy changes officially aimed at his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda but in effect challenging the business-as-usual style in which Silicon Valley has led a global surge in technology and innovation, helping US domination in the world economy.

But the inference from this would be more complex than it may appear at first sight.

As I see it, once the game gets down to details, Indians (and others from outside the US) seeking H1B work visas and better lifestyles in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India like it did in the 1990s and 2000s when "offshoring" became hot.

The difference is that this time, India is in an even better position to tap opportunities because the size of skilled and experienced knowledge professionals, infrastructure development, and communications bandwidth are far superior.

Officially, H1B visas are long-term non-immigrant permits for those engaged in speciality occupations that require high skills.

The year 2024 is ending in America with serious disagreements between the folks we call Trumpists. Technology billionaire Elon Musk officially supports the H1B visa as a vehicle to attract talent on merit, but has calibrated his position to seek "reform" in the system after a backlash post that says the H1B programme is only aimed at recruiting technology and financial service professionals at "relatively low wages" and not to draw "top talent."

That should not make sense on close examination.

Better work that produces better results attracts better wages -- and quibbling over what is "top talent" is a difficult game to play where employers are ordinarily the best judges of what talent is. But the pushback Musk is facing is symptomatic of the protectionism in which an "America first" policy for local citizens (Read: mostly white, less competitive technology workers) are expected to get priority.

Former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon wants an outright scrapping of H1B visas and has even issued a warning to Vivek Ramaswamy and Musk, the co-chiefs of Trump's DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).

To leave little to doubt on the kind of hate that is going around against Indians, there is a viral video of far-right commentator Stew Peters and comedian Leonarda Jonie spewing venomous racism against Indian immigrants.

With that kind of atmosphere, H1B may be a difficult thing to sustain and even more difficult to grow. Trump is certainly in a bind.

Musk wants to raise the minimum salary for H1B visa approvals but that is hardly of relevance beyond a point. Last year, as much as 69% of those gaining from H1B visas with a salary below $100,000 per year were Indians. The number of employees covered by H1B visas totalled less than 54,000 of which 65% were for "computer-related" operations.

Now, contrast that with some interesting data on global capability centres (GCC) of multinational companies functioning in or from India. According to industry association Nasscom, as many as 1,700 GCCs in India employed nearly 1.9 milllion people in the fiscal year ended March 2024, generating more than $64 billion in annual revenues. The government's economic survey for the year said as many as 42% of GCC employees were engaged in engineering, research and development. A study by consulting firm Zinnov noted that these included artificial intelligence and machine learning experts needed at the cutting edge of global business.

In plain English, India now has the scale, base and processes necessary to absorb all the H1B visa holders hired over the past decade, should that need arise. Some enhanced infrastructure facilities may be a clincher, but that is relatively easy in the current scenario.

It is a naive thought to imagine that businesses deploying capital would meekly accept the narrow-minded Trumpists who do not understand the larger dynamics in a world in which everything from cryptocurrency to robotics and genomics needs a solid technologically educated workforce. If not India, they may settle for other countries to deploy or hire talent. European countries are already waking up to the prospect of hiring talented Indians.

The irony is that in defending less than 100,000 jobs per year on a liberal count, the United States, which has a total of 168 million people in its civilian workforce, may be losing its grip on global technological leadership -- not to speak of small business growth aided by guest workers and rich immigrants.

Extreme-right Trumpists seem to be adept at cutting America's nose to spite its technological face. It is their choice.

P.S. On the downside of H1B returnees, Indians may have to worry more about narrow local roads choked with outsized Audis, Jaguars and BMWs, unless the government puts new-age cities on a fast-track model.

America's H1B protectionism is set to benefit India. Here's why

Opinion | Indians seeking H1B work visas in the US may lose out on new opportunities, but in an economic sense, those very opportunities may shift to India

www.wionews.com

[/B][/B]

India as a nation has nothing to gain from it not any reason to be happy about that.

 

[Bagheera0084]

'We need smart people in our country': Trump says he hasn't changed his mind on H1B visas

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 1, 2025, 11:33 IST

US President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on H-1B visas, emphasizing the need for competent and smart individuals in the country. He denied changing his opinion on the visas and highlighted their importance in bringing skilled workers to the US. Trump aligned with Elon Musk and commented on the necessity for visa holders amidst upcoming job growth.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that he has not changed his stance on H-1B visas, stressing the need for skilled workers in the nation. He made these remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort on New Year's Eve.

When questioned by a reporter about a perceived change in his stance on H-1B visas, Trump responded, "I didn't change my mind on H-1B visas.

I've always felt we have to have the most competent people in our country. We need smart people in our country. We need a lot of people coming in. We're going to have jobs like never before."

Immigration attorney Steven Brown reacted to Trump's stance on X.

“Interesting #H1B news, pleasantly surprised to see from DJT," Brown said.

The H-1B visa program allows highly skilled foreign workers to work in the US. The Biden administration recently announced plans to streamline the application process and address potential misuse by companies.

Trump's evolving views on H-1B

Trump’s past comments on the program, as reported by the Associated Press, described it as “unfair” to American workers and “very bad.” However, Trump reiterated his support for the program in a comment to the New York Post, saying, "`I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That's why we have them."

This recent support aligns Trump with billionaire Elon Musk, who has also defended the program. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump supporter, has previously criticized the H-1B program, advocating for a system that prioritizes highly skilled individuals, promotes competition, and reduces bureaucracy.

Political analyst on Trump's support for H-1B visas

Trump's support for H-1B visas could create conflict with his base, according to political analyst Craig Agranoff.

He explained this tension to Newsweek. “His support for H1B visas might seem at odds with the broader 'America First' stance that resonates with much of his MAGA base," Agranoff said. "Many within that movement view these visas as competing with American workers for jobs, especially in tech sectors. His position could alienate some staunch supporters who feel strongly about prioritizing domestic labor."

Agranoff also noted Trump’s history of balancing populist rhetoric with pro-business policies.

“It’s also important to note that Trump has always balanced his populist rhetoric with policies that appeal to business interests," he said. "The H1B program is valued by many industries for bringing in skilled labor, and Trump may be trying to maintain support from the business community while framing his stance as pro-growth and beneficial to the U.S. economy. Whether this creates lasting friction with his base will depend on how effectively he communicates the economic benefits of H1B visas in a way that aligns with the MAGA vision.”

'We need smart people in our country': Trump says he hasn't changed his mind on H1B visas - Times of India

US News: US President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on H-1B visas, emphasizing the need for competent and smart individuals in the country. He denie

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[Sharma Ji]

'We need smart people in our country': Trump says he hasn't changed his mind on H1B visas

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 1, 2025, 11:33 IST

US President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on H-1B visas, emphasizing the need for competent and smart individuals in the country. He denied changing his opinion on the visas and highlighted their importance in bringing skilled workers to the US. Trump aligned with Elon Musk and commented on the necessity for visa holders amidst upcoming job growth.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday stated that he has not changed his stance on H-1B visas, stressing the need for skilled workers in the nation. He made these remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort on New Year's Eve.

When questioned by a reporter about a perceived change in his stance on H-1B visas, Trump responded, "I didn't change my mind on H-1B visas.

I've always felt we have to have the most competent people in our country. We need smart people in our country. We need a lot of people coming in. We're going to have jobs like never before."

Immigration attorney Steven Brown reacted to Trump's stance on X.

“Interesting #H1B news, pleasantly surprised to see from DJT," Brown said.

The H-1B visa program allows highly skilled foreign workers to work in the US. The Biden administration recently announced plans to streamline the application process and address potential misuse by companies.

Trump's evolving views on H-1B

Trump’s past comments on the program, as reported by the Associated Press, described it as “unfair” to American workers and “very bad.” However, Trump reiterated his support for the program in a comment to the New York Post, saying, "`I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That's why we have them."

This recent support aligns Trump with billionaire Elon Musk, who has also defended the program. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump supporter, has previously criticized the H-1B program, advocating for a system that prioritizes highly skilled individuals, promotes competition, and reduces bureaucracy.

Political analyst on Trump's support for H-1B visas

Trump's support for H-1B visas could create conflict with his base, according to political analyst Craig Agranoff.

He explained this tension to Newsweek. “His support for H1B visas might seem at odds with the broader 'America First' stance that resonates with much of his MAGA base," Agranoff said. "Many within that movement view these visas as competing with American workers for jobs, especially in tech sectors. His position could alienate some staunch supporters who feel strongly about prioritizing domestic labor."

Agranoff also noted Trump’s history of balancing populist rhetoric with pro-business policies.

“It’s also important to note that Trump has always balanced his populist rhetoric with policies that appeal to business interests," he said. "The H1B program is valued by many industries for bringing in skilled labor, and Trump may be trying to maintain support from the business community while framing his stance as pro-growth and beneficial to the U.S. economy. Whether this creates lasting friction with his base will depend on how effectively he communicates the economic benefits of H1B visas in a way that aligns with the MAGA vision.”

'We need smart people in our country': Trump says he hasn't changed his mind on H1B visas - Times of India

US News: US President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on H-1B visas, emphasizing the need for competent and smart individuals in the country. He denie

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Unlike the caravans from South America, Mexico (which also include Indians)

most legal Indians there are high skilled employed people who pay taxes

useless ones get the boot just the same as illegals are deported, riff raff mostly kept out

 

[Bagheera0084]

Why Elon Musk has backpedalled on H-1B visa after MAGA fallout

Days after Elon Musk defended the H-1B visa, he shifted his stance, calling the program "broken" and calling for major reforms, including higher salaries and additional costs to make hiring overseas workers more expensive. What's the change in Musk's position driven by? Is it MAGA-fuelled scepticism, or economic pragmatism, or concerns over US companies exploiting the visa program?

Elon Musk had received support from Donald Trump on his stance on H-1B visas, a day after the tech moghul vowed to "go to war" to defend the programme. (File Image)

India Today World Desk
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 31, 2024 15:36 IST
Written By: Sushim Mukul

With MAGA tech-bros squaring off against the MAGA right in a heated brawl over H-1B visas and skilled immigration, President-elect Donald Trump's ally Elon Musk has deftly shifted his stance on the issue. Days after Tesla, X and SpaceX boss Musk said he "will go to war" backing the H-1B visa and asked right-wingers to "take a big step back", he mellowed down, saying the H-1B "program is broken and needs major reform". He also called for "raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H-1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically".

What prompted Musk's shift from defending the H-1B visa program? Was it a reaction to MAGA-fuelled scepticism, or a nod to economic pragmatism, or the result of concerns over companies in the US exploiting the program?

H1-B VISAS, A BONE OF CONTENTION BEFORE TRUMP'S RE-INAUGURATION

Leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, MAGA saw fierce debates over skilled worker immigration, even as his poll rhetoric targeted people at the opposite end of the spectrum involving low-skilled and illegal immigration.

Hardline Trump supporters argued that H-1B visas replace American workers and threaten Western civilisation. In contrast, others, including Trump himself, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, defend the program as crucial for attracting skilled foreign talent amid a shortage of engineers in the US.

Despite Trump's backing of the H-1B push, far-right MAGA voices continued targeting tech-bros like Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The latter, who is the DOGE co-chair, stirred a controversy by saying that America fostered a culture of mediocrity.

The MAGA fallout unleashed criticism against Indian American leaders like Shri Thanedar and Vivek Ramaswamy, with calls for them to "go back to India." Some critics even weaponised the caste system to target Indian lawmakers.

Indian-American leaders, hailed as the "new Jews" before the Presidential elections, became hate figures for Trump's MAGA base almost overnight.

It was during this debate that Elon Musk pledged to "go to war" to defend the H-1B program. Musk, who himself emigrated from South Africa to the US on an H-1B visa, held that the program was important in fostering innovation and economic growth in the US. Musk called out "hateful racists", warned of a "MAGA civil war", and aggressively responded to H-1B critics online.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has also voiced support for the H-1B program, calling it a "great program", according to a New York Post report.

DATA REVEALS WHY IT'S MUSK WHO HAS HAD TO WALK BACK

Days later, Musk has now softened his position.

He suggested that the H-1B visa system requires substantial reforms. On social media site X, Musk proposed two key changes to it: significantly raising the minimum salary for H-1B visa holders and introducing an annual fee to maintain the visa. According to Musk, these measures would make it "materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically".

Musk now says that immigration would be "fixed to benefit America".

Musk's call for H-1B overhaul, though still supportive of the program, came in as far-right activist Laura Loomer on X put out data and said, "So you are telling me that USD 70,000 per year entry-level jobs are 0.1% level talent?" Criticising Musk, Laura Loomer also alleged that Musk's companies did the same.

Musk had held that the H-1B visa was crucial for the American economy as it helped in recruiting "highly skilled" professionals. Indians, consistently the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program, accounted for over 72% of approved petitions annually in 2023, according to US government data.

Among the 2023 H-1B recipients from India, 69% of visas went to professionals with salaries below USD 1 lakh per annum, which is less than the average salary of IT professionals in the US. Just 5% of them earned more than USD 1.5 lakh.

The data on a 72% share of Indians and the low earnings of H-1B visa beneficiaries, as flagged by Musk's critics, revealed it was not just the "excellent engineering talent" he said was needed for the Silicon Valley to thrive. It was after these very revelations that Musk had to eat a humble pie on his own platform, X. The fact that the bulk of the H-1B visa beneficiaries earned less or similar to an average American IT professional, was out in the open.

Elon Musk, acknowledging the same, made the tactical retreat, and recaliberated.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule to modernise the H-1B visa programme, enabling US companies to fill critical job vacancies more effectively. The updated rule would be effective by January 17, 2025, days before Trump's re-inauguration.

Now, it remains to be seen if the partisan chatter on H-1B will lead to a change in policy as Trump is weeks away from coming back to be the POTUS.

Published By: Sushim Mukul

Published On: Dec 31, 2024

Why Elon Musk has backpedalled on H-1B visa after MAGA fallout

Days after Elon Musk defended the H-1B visa, he shifted his stance, calling the program "broken" and calling for major reforms, including higher salaries and additional costs to make hiring overseas workers more expensive. What's the change in Musk's position driven by? Is it MAGA-fuelled...

www.indiatoday.in