Without Indians, America’s Growth Would Be Zero

Ever since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States for a second term, he has been tightening his stance on immigrants. Trump has been taking strong measures to drastically reduce the entry of foreigners. These actions have greatly affected Indian youth. This year, the number of students going to the U.S. has significantly dropped.

With strict decisions on H-1B visas, opportunities for Indians to go to America for jobs and education have become almost impossible. Trump is forcibly deporting undocumented immigrants. Top companies are now facing a shortage of skilled employees, leaving many firms struggling without expert talent.

In this context, world billionaire and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk, stated that without Indians, America’s development would be zero. Musk said the United States has immensely benefitted from the contributions of highly talented Indians. Speaking on the WTF podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk said Indian immigrants have played a crucial role in driving America’s technology sector forward.

However, Musk also expressed concern that the rising anti-immigration sentiment and strict immigration policies have disappointed many young Indians. He rejected the idea of completely scrapping the H-1B visa program, but criticized outsourcing companies for misusing the system for their own gain.

Musk pointed out that the U.S. is currently enforcing strict border controls. He said that under the Biden administration, weak border regulation led to a surge in illegal immigration, which sends the wrong economic signals. He stressed that top-tier talent will always be in demand for advanced research, artificial intelligence, and space technology.

Musk emphasized that attracting the world’s most brilliant minds to America is essential. Even companies like Tesla and SpaceX struggle to find exceptional talent, which is why strengthening programs like H-1B is necessary, he said. Musk added that Indian professionals have made unparalleled contributions to America’s development, innovation ecosystem, startup culture, and technological progress.