Hornpost
Hargeisa (Hornpost) Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a former U.S. government adviser, has sharply criticized the way America’s H-1B skilled worker visa program is being managed, saying the system has been reduced to a “game” by the companies tasked with running it. Musk argued that the solution is not to end the program, but to stop the “abusive and distorted practices” that have undermined its purpose.
Roughly 70% of all H-1B visas—which allow U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign professionals—are used by Indian nationals working in technology, engineering, and healthcare. But concerns around misuse grew after President Donald Trump introduced a $100,000 application fee for H-1B petitions in September, sparking fear among Indian workers and employers alike.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Musk discussed immigration, tariffs, and U.S. economic policy. He said America has “long benefited” from highly talented Indian immigrants but acknowledged widespread worries about the “abuse” of the visa system.
The H-1B program is administered through a lottery process carried out by private companies, which critics say exploit loopholes—such as submitting multiple identical applications on behalf of a single candidate or using the visas to hire lower-paid labor instead of qualified American professionals.
“We need to stop turning this entire system into a game,” Musk said.
“But there’s no logic behind shutting down the H-1B program entirely, as some on the right-wing suggest. I don’t think they realize how harmful that would be.”
Musk also weighed in on Trump’s economic strategy, saying he “failed” to convince the president not to raise tariffs. The increased duties, Musk warned, “distort markets,” even as Trump remains committed to tariff-driven policy.
Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, alongside a 25% penalty on purchases of Russian oil. Although several countries have secured new trade deals with Washington, Indian exports to the U.S. continue to face some of the highest tariffs globally.
Meanwhile, U.S.–India negotiations on a new trade agreement are ongoing, with hopes that a deal could be finalized before the end of the year.
Prepared:
Hornpost staff Reporter
