Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, Indian Americans have turned to Elon Musk on social media platform X, asking for his support in reforming the H-1B visa program. Musk, who backed Trump during the campaign, is seen by some as a potential ally for those advocating for changes to the visa system, which has affected thousands of Indian immigrants working in the U.S.
One user, Sanjeev Ranjan, tagged Musk, drawing parallels to Musk’s own journey toward U.S. citizenship. “Dear @elonmusk, Congratulations on winning the election! It took you 10 years to obtain citizenship in the USA. Please do justice for Indian-born H-1B visas,” he wrote. Ranjan’s post resonated widely, sparking similar calls for action on X.
Many users expressed frustration with the H-1B visa’s prolonged wait times and limited pathways to citizenship. Commenters highlighted the challenges, from restrictive work conditions to uncertainty in green card processing. “We cannot buy a house and settle as any time if the renewal is declined, we have to go back. No good life just working hard every day,” one user shared. Another user emphasized the need for “an expedited path for intelligent, law-abiding, tax-paying, highly qualified immigrants.”
Under Trump’s previous administration, visa approvals dropped initially before recovering later, and his current stance suggests potential tightening of visa policies once he takes office. Experts, such as Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative, have speculated that Trump’s anticipated immigration reforms could affect Indian professionals, potentially raising costs for Indian companies that rely on U.S. staffing.
In India, former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor echoed these concerns in an interview with CNBC-TV18, noting that Trump’s anti-immigration policies could impact family reunifications for Indian families, further complicating the landscape for H-1B visa holders.
With immigration policy likely to be a focal point in Trump’s administration, Indian Americans and other stakeholders are rallying support, hopeful that figures like Musk might influence reforms that improve the H-1B system for skilled workers seeking stable futures in the U.S.