New Delhi:
Before US President-elect Donald Trump takes oath, politics on H1B visa has intensified. The debate on Indian immigrants has intensified between billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump supporters. Trump has criticized Musk and Indian-origin American businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Has been appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency. The purpose of this department is to clean up the American bureaucracy and suggest measures to cut the expenses of the American government. Trump believes that this can save about two trillion dollars. Musk and Ramaswamy are supporters of H1B visa. At the same time, Trump supporters like Laura Loomer, Matt Gaetz and Ann Coulter are against this program. They argue that with this, the share of American people’s jobs will go to foreigners. Trump, who banned this program in his first term, seems to be adopting a soft stance on this matter this time.
How the controversy over H1B visa started
This controversy started after the appointment of Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan as the policy advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Trump administration. Pro-Trump social media influencer Lara Loomer was angered by the appointment of Krishnan, who was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She wrote on social media, “It is disturbing that so many leftist people are now being appointed in the Trump administration. These people hold such views which are against the America First agenda. Our country was built by white Europeans, not Indians.” Laura raised questions over an old social media post of Krishnan, in which he supported the expansion of visas and green cards for skilled professionals.
Elon Musk also jumped into this debate. He said that America does not have as many trained people as American companies need. He said that if you want your team to win the championship, then you will have to recruit better people, no matter where they are from. He wrote on Twitter on Saturday that I have respect for any person, irrespective of caste, religion or country, who comes to America and works hard for this country. America is a country of freedom and opportunity.
When Musk said this, Loomer said that Musk is not with Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA). He is an obstacle to Trump. He is associated with Trump only for his own benefit. Laura said that Musk wants everyone to consider him a hero because he spent 250 million dollars to contest Trump’s election. But this is not a big deal because by investing so much money Musk is going to earn much more than this. Lara alleges that Musk has removed the blue badge from her X account. Loomer says that this step of Musk is a violation of freedom of expression.
Elon Musk got support from Vivek Ramaswamy
After this attack by Loomer, Vivek Ramaswamy came forward in support of Musk. He even said that without skilled foreigners, America’s decline is certain. He said that top companies hire foreigners instead of native Americans. The reason for this is not that there is an innate lack of intelligence among Americans, but the reason for this is that American culture is moving towards mediocrity. Ramaswamy says that to strengthen America economically, the world’s top people should be hired. . The American right wing got enraged by this statement of Ramaswamy. Laura said that if India was so highly skilled, people would have stayed there instead of going to America. Let’s say you want them for cheap wages. Even if people call him racist for this.
Ramaswamy is a supporter of the H1B visa program. Every year about 45 thousand Indians go to America on this visa. Elon Musk also came to America from South Africa on H1B visa. He has advocated for H1B visa. He said last week that his companies like SpaceX and Tesla need foreign professionals. Musk wrote on ‘X’, “I am in America with many important people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that make America strong because of the H-1B program.” Stating this, he has advocated for reforms on a large scale. Musk said that this program should be improved by increasing the minimum salary and maintenance.
Change in Donald Trump’s stance
However, Donald Trump had banned H-1B visas during his last presidential term. But this time his stance seems to be soft. But after being elected President for the second time, Trump has changed his stance on H1B visa. Trump told ‘New York Times’ on December 28 that he has always been against this visa. Are in support of. Trump said, “I believe in H1B visas.” There are many H-1B visa people in my companies too. I have used it many times. This is a great program.”
Earlier it was believed that Trump becoming President again could create a lot of problems for the migrants. But his changed stance has given hope to people hoping to go to America on H1B visa. India will benefit more from this. Indian professionals are the biggest beneficiaries of H1B visa. More than 70 percent of those working in America on this visa are Indians. In June this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in Washington that Indians Indians will not have to go out of America to renew their H1B visa. His announcement made it easier for Indians to live and work in America.
What is H 1B visa?
H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa. It allows American companies to hire foreign professionals for work that requires business or technological expertise. Through this, companies in the technology sector recruit thousands of professionals from countries like India and China every year.
This visa is usually given for IT, Architecture, Health etc. To get this visa, it is necessary that a company offers a job to that person. This works only until your employer fires you and no other company gives you work, then this visa will automatically expire. Its time limit is for three years. But if necessary, it can be extended for the next three years. America gives H1B visas to 65 thousand people every year. It issues 20 thousand additional H1B visas for those having PG degree or above.
After taking H1B visa, you can get Social Security Number in America. You can apply for a state ID or driving license. You can open your bank account. You can buy or rent a car. You can take a house on rent or buy your own house.
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