Washington: As President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20 draws closer, debate over the H-1B visa program has reached a boiling point, dividing both Democratic and Republican parties. The H-1B program, which allows foreign guest workers to fill highly skilled positions in the US, remains a key topic of contention.

Indians as Primary Beneficiaries
Indians are the primary beneficiaries of the H-1B visas, which provide 65,000 slots annually, with an additional 20,000 for those who have received higher education in the US. The program has brought some of the brightest global talent, particularly from India, into the US workforce.

Trump, Musk, and Ramaswamy Back the Program
President-elect Trump has voiced support for the H-1B program, stating, "I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favour of the visas." He added, “We need competent people, we need smart people coming into our country, we need a lot of people coming in.” Trump’s close allies, Tesla owner Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, have also endorsed the program, highlighting its importance for attracting top talent to fill skill gaps in the US tech industry.

Support from Indian-American Lawmakers
Indian-American Democratic lawmakers like Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar have joined the debate, advocating for the H-1B program. Khanna, in an interview with Newsweek, emphasised that attracting the best engineers is essential to maintaining US competitiveness, especially against China. However, he acknowledged the program's misuse and is co-leading a reform act to prevent abuse.

Opposition from Sanders
On the other hand, influential Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed the program, accusing it of replacing American jobs with low-wage foreign workers. He stated that the program serves to benefit wealthy tech owners rather than providing opportunities for skilled American workers.

Musk and Ramaswamy Respond to Criticism
Musk and Ramaswamy have responded robustly to criticism, with Musk stating on social media that the H-1B program is crucial for America’s economic strength. Ramaswamy, meanwhile, pointed to cultural factors as key to the preference for foreign-born engineers, arguing that tough questions demand a diverse range of perspectives.

With PTI inputs