Musk says misuse of H-1B should stop but programme must continue – The Economic Times

Clipped from: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/latest-updates/musk-says-misuse-of-h-1b-should-stop-but-programme-must-continue/articleshow/125685053.cms?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Dailynewsletter&utm_content=Story6&ncode=75d64f4897e8e8ac52cb55467461f7a63c51ccf2c2e8b750e486fcfa03718c33e0bf41778dc7feec8f76e8759355eb785126dfc259c45ded30f220ecc6dccc84a310c0ef9b2ddc6e4caa356ee019f11d2eb43efa5a64ddcc&nl_id=5f5a31db80f79664e95679c9

Listen to this article in summarized format

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said the United States has been a major beneficiary of talent from India and expressed strong support for the H-1B visa programme, warning that shutting it down would harm the country. He made the remarks during a conversation with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath on his podcast People by WTF, released on Sunday.

Musk said America has “benefited immensely from talented Indians who have come to America.” He acknowledged that while some outsourcing companies have “gamed the system” for H-1B visas, the solution lies in addressing the misuse, not ending the programme. “We need to stop the gaming of the system. But I’m certainly not in the school of thought that we should shut down the H-1B programme… I think they don’t realise that that would actually be very bad,” he said.

The comments came as the US government continues its crackdown on visa misuse. The H-1B programme is widely used by American technology firms to hire skilled foreign workers, with Indian professionals forming one of the largest groups of beneficiaries. In September, former US President Donald Trump introduced a one-time fee of USD 100,000 on new H-1B applications as part of a broader reform effort.

Responding to a question about the US stance on immigration, Musk said opinions differ across political lines. He criticised what he called “massive” illegal immigration under President Joe Biden’s administration and emphasised the importance of border controls. “Unless you’ve got border controls, you’re not a country,” he said.

Musk added that while some on the political right fear job losses to skilled immigrants, his experience showed a shortage of talent. “My direct observation is that there’s always a scarcity of talented people… more talented people would be good,” he noted. He said his companies focus on hiring the best people globally, paying “way above average,” unlike firms that prioritise cost savings.

When asked about his message to young Indian entrepreneurs, Musk said he respected “anyone who wants to build.” He advised them to focus on creating value, saying, “Aim to make more than you take, be a net contributor to society… If you want to create something valuable, pursue providing useful products and services… then money will come as a natural consequence. Are you a value creator? That’s what really matters.”