Following Donald Trump’s recent victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, an Indian citizen, Sanjeev Ranjan, took to the social media platform X to make a direct appeal to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Ranjan’s message urged Musk to use his influence to advocate for reforms to the H-1B visa program, which has long been a source of concern for Indian immigrants. Drawing attention to Musk’s own immigration story, Ranjan pointed out that it took Musk a decade to gain U.S. citizenship after his arrival in 1992.
Ranjan’s post read, “Dear @elonmusk, Congratulations on winning the election! You moved to the U.S. in 1992 and became a citizen in 2002. Please do justice for Indian-born H-1B visa holders.” This message highlights the broader issue faced by many Indian Americans who fear the future of the H-1B program under a Trump administration, known for its strict immigration policies.
The post quickly garnered attention, with numerous users expressing their support. One commenter expressed frustration over the long wait times for legal immigrants, particularly those from India. Others pointed to a widespread lack of understanding and misinformation regarding the H-1B visa.
Several commenters proposed expanding the eligibility for permanent resident status, particularly for those who have invested heavily in their education in the U.S. One suggestion was to “Make ALL nationalities eligible for the LOTTERY if they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their undergraduate and graduate programs.” There was also a call to expedite citizenship for qualified immigrants, with one user stating, “Expedite the visas for intelligent, law-abiding, tax-paying highly qualified immigrants. America needs them.”
While Musk’s past involvement with immigration issues has been controversial, with reports suggesting he briefly worked illegally in the U.S. during the early stages of his career, experts warn that more stringent regulations on H-1B visas could negatively impact the tech industry and Indian IT professionals.
Shashi Tharoor, former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, also voiced concerns that Trump’s tough stance on immigration could limit H-1B visa availability and hinder family reunification for immigrants already in the U.S.
