Central Idea

Indian-American Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy vows to overhaul the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B visa, highly sought-after among Indian IT professionals, permits US companies to employ foreign workers for specialized roles requiring theoretical or technical expertise.

Why discuss this?

The H-1B visa are highly sought-after category used by Indian professionals in the US as many use them as a precursor for permanent residency.
However, the waiting periods for the employment-based green card for Indians can stretch into decades.
The US embassy in India has already processed over 9 lakh non-immigrant visa currently and is expected to pass the one million mark soon.

The H-1B visa program is crafted to facilitate the entry of skilled foreign workers into the United States, enabling them to work for American companies.
It is particularly sought after by Indian IT professionals as it permits U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized roles demanding theoretical or technical expertise.
Despite its popularity, the H-1B visa program faces criticisms for extended waiting periods and the use of a lottery system for selection.

Personal Experience: Ramaswamy acknowledged his own immigrant experience and contended that the H-1B system is detrimental to all parties involved.
Merit-Based Reform: He advocated for replacing the lottery system with a meritocratic admission process, describing the current system as a form of indentured servitude that primarily benefits sponsoring companies.
Eliminating Chain Migration: He also emphasized the need to eliminate chain-based migration, arguing that family members who join immigrants are not merit-based contributors to the country.

Resonance with Trump: Ramaswamy’s stance on H-1B visas draws parallels with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Hard stance: Despite hiring foreign workers under H-1B visas for his businesses, Trump initially adopted a hardline stance on these workers before later softening his rhetoric.