While debates about immigration policy continue across the U.S., Elon Musk has voiced strong support for the H-1B visa program. During an interview on Nikhil Kamath’s WTF podcast, Musk explicitly endorsed the program and argued that America has “benefitted immensely from talented Indians” driving innovation and economic growth.
He contends that skilled immigration strengthens U.S. technological advancement and competitiveness in global markets. Musk recognizes Indian professionals as critical to America’s innovation ecosystem. He’s characterized the United States as an “immense beneficiary” of Indian know-how, particularly in technology and business sectors.
According to Musk’s viewpoint, this pattern of talent attraction has historically enhanced American competitiveness worldwide. Many Indian-origin professionals have founded major U.S. tech companies, demonstrating the program’s concrete impact on innovation. The Trump administration’s one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas represents a significant policy shift aimed at reducing program utilization.
Indian-origin professionals founding major U.S. tech companies demonstrate how talent attraction enhances American competitiveness globally.
However, Musk doesn’t defend the H-1B program without criticism. He’s identified “gaming” by outsourcing and staffing companies as a significant problem. Some firms submit multiple lottery entries for single candidates or use the program to import lower-cost contract workers instead of specialists. Musk emphasizes that multiple entries and fraudulent applications undermine the program’s intended purpose of attracting genuine specialized talent.
Musk views this as systemic abuse that exploits loopholes in the current system. Rather than eliminating H-1B visas, Musk advocates for reforms. He’s called for stricter enforcement against fraudulent applications and greater transparency in the lottery allocation process.
He suggests prioritizing genuine specialist roles over contract labor and ensuring that visa purposes align with actual job specifications. Fixing loopholes, in his view, is preferable to scrapping the entire program.
Beyond H-1B discussion, Musk’s also addressed broader border policy concerns. He’s criticized what he calls a “free-for-all” border situation under the Biden administration, asserting there were “no real border controls” previously.
He argues that proper border enforcement is essential for national sovereignty. Musk emphasizes the need for “clearly defined border policies” that complement legal immigration pathways.
He distinguishes between skilled visa programs and undocumented migration, suggesting that strong border controls actually strengthen legal immigration systems by reducing illegal entry attempts and removing incentives for unauthorized immigration, including government benefits.