A former Meta techie, founder Zach Wilson, expressed pride in being an American after a federal court struck down the $100,000 fee imposed by the Donald Trump administration on the import of H-1B visa holders. Wilson said the last six months were depressing when his Indian students asked, 'How do I get a data engineering job in the US?' 'And my answer basically, "you don't because of Trump,"' he wrote in an X post.
Impact on Tech Talent Movement
'These visa fees were another reason I had to visit Bangalore and Hyderabad this year. Because if we can't bring the brains to America, the brains will continue building amazing things in India. And the phenomenal entrepreneurs and engineers I met in India were incredible. The world is balancing out,' the former Netflix engineer said.
'It's amazing to see America still has its checks and balances necessary to keep it being a land of immigrants and new ideas! Today is one of the few days in a very long time that I say I'm proud to be an American and that my government is doing something right,' Wilson added.
Massive Trolling for Taking Side of Indians
Zach Wilson's post drew massive flak as social media users asked him why he does not think of training US students. '90% of my students are Americans and I love that I can speak about incredible opportunities with them,' Wilson said.
'How do I, an American, get my data engineering job? F**k you so much dude OPT don't pay payroll taxes. They tolerate overwork and abuse. I hate you so much,' one user wrote.
'Welcome to the new world. The jobs would be shipped to Bangalore anyway so it's not like they're taking a job that would've gone to an American,' Wilson replied.
Defending Against Backlash
Pushing back against the backlash, Wilson said he was hired by three different hiring managers when he worked in big tech and he never faced any discrimination under Indian managers.
About the Author: TOI World Desk. At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
