While criticizing open border policies, he warned that shutting down the skilled visa program would be "very bad" for the US. (Image: File)
Elon Musk made a strong appeal for high-skilled immigration, praising the impact of Indian talent on the U.S. economy. During a discussion on Nikhil Kamath’s “WTF” podcast, he warned that scrapping the H-1B visa program would be a mistake. Musk said that although the system is sometimes misused, eliminating it entirely would hurt America.
Musk unequivocally acknowledged the profound contribution of Indian professionals to the American economy. When Kamath pointed out that the US narrative seemed to be shifting towards being "anti-immigration," Musk agreed with the premise of his question. "Yes, I think America has benefitted immensely from talented Indians that have come to America," Musk stated. This endorsement comes at a critical time when the H-1B program faces increased scrutiny and recent policy changes under the Trump administration, including a new $100,000 fee for visa applications designed to incentivize the hiring of American citizens.
While acknowledging flaws in the system, Musk rejected the idea of terminating the H-1B program, a demand raised by some conservative groups. He identified a key problem: "There's been some misuse of the H-1B Program… some outsourcing companies have kind of gamed the system." However, he offered a straightforward fix, saying the goal should be to “stop people from misusing the system,” not end the visa altogether. He stressed, “I don’t believe the H-1B Program should be shut down… that would be very bad,” highlighting how crucial it is for bringing in global talent.
Musk did not limit his comments to skilled immigration; he also delivered a sharp critique of overall US border policy. He took aim at the previous Biden administration's approach, which he described as "a total free-for-all with no border controls." He argued that effective borders are fundamental to national sovereignty, stating, "unless you’ve got border controls, you’re not a country." He explained that the current political divide leaves the issue in a deadlock, with the left wanting "open borders" and the right fearing that their jobs are being taken by immigrants.
Also Read: New Month, New Rules: Key Changes in LPG, Tax Deadlines and Discontinued Services from December 1
Elon Musk's stance presents a nuanced view that separates the issues of skilled and illegal immigration. On one hand, he pointed out that lax border enforcement leads to "massive amounts of illegal immigration." On the other hand, from his direct experience as a tech leader, he highlighted a severe shortage of skilled workers. "We have a lot of difficulty finding enough talented people to get these difficult tasks done. And so more talented people would be good," Musk said, arguing that the US must continue to attract the world's best minds to maintain its competitive edge.
