An Indian-origin founder in Canada has commented on the rampant targeting of H-1B visa holders in the United States, explaining that the situation is far more complex than how the MAGA movement portrays it. Vijayan Swaminathan, an Indian-origin tech leader based in Canada, stated that it is not as simple as millions of Indians randomly waking up one day, booking flights to America, and then starting to take jobs meant for Americans.
Skilled Engineers, Not Random Workers
"These are not random people picked off the street. They are often engineers who have already spent years working on the exact product the company depends on," Swaminathan said. He emphasized that in many cases, American corporations themselves spent years and millions of dollars building offshore development centers, either directly or through partner firms. Certain projects become so deadline-driven and market-sensitive that bringing over one or two engineers who already understand the systems, architecture, and business logic becomes the fastest and most efficient option.
Ask Your Corporations Why They Hire Indians
As Swaminathan objected to Texas whistleblower Sara Gonzales's pointed hatred towards H-1B visa holders, he noted that it is a fair question to ask why a particular job was not given to an American and was offered instead to an Indian. However, the question should be directed at the corporations making those hiring decisions, not at the individual worker who came to the US leaving his family behind. The process is generally initiated by the US firm itself.
Americans Love Indian Mangoes
Swaminathan also highlighted the cultural exchange that globalization brings. He said Americans enjoy Indian mangoes and butter chicken, while the rest of the world enjoys Hollywood and American innovation. This is what should happen in a globalized world. "The H-1B who came to the US may have grown up watching Hollywood movies. After watching a movie back home, maybe they celebrated the weekend with Pizza Hut or KFC with their family, contributing to American businesses long before ever stepping foot in the country. Little did he or she know that the so-called 'American Dream' wasn't meant for a brown person from India," he wrote.
This perspective sheds light on the nuanced reality of skilled immigration, challenging the simplistic narratives often propagated in political discourse. The debate over H-1B visas continues to be a contentious issue in US immigration policy, with many calling for reforms that balance the needs of businesses with the protection of domestic workers.
