Sundar Pichai Defends H-1B Visa Program: "Immigrants' Contribution to US Tech Sector is Phenomenal"

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has highlighted the extraordinary contributions of immigrants in developing America's technology sector. During a BBC interview, Pichai emphasized that the impact of immigrants on the U.S. tech landscape has been "phenomenal."

Pichai remarked, "If you look at the history of technology development, the contribution of immigrants to the sector has been nothing but phenomenal." He acknowledged that while the H-1B visa program faces certain "shortcomings," the government recognizes its value and is implementing improvements.

"I think there's a framework by which we all can still bring talented individuals. I think they're making changes to address some of the shortcomings in the current programme," Pichai added.

Pichai's perspective comes from personal experience. He first came to the United States as an international student before transitioning to an H-1B visa holder, eventually rising through the ranks to lead Google and its parent company, Alphabet.

His advocacy for immigration aligns with positions he has maintained throughout his career. Following the Trump administration's 2020 suspension of immigrant work visas, Pichai expressed his disappointment on social media platform X: "Immigration has contributed immensely to America's economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today."

The H-1B visa program has recently become a contentious topic after former President Donald Trump proposed a $100,000 fee for new applications in September. While the White House has clarified that its intention is to reform rather than eliminate the program, some politicians have taken more extreme positions.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced plans to introduce legislation that would "completely eliminate" the H-1B program and end pathways to permanent residency, effectively requiring visa holders to leave the United States once their visas expire. Her proposal includes a limited exception of 10,000 visas annually for medical professionals such as doctors and nurses.

If enacted, such legislation would have significant implications for Indian professionals, who represent more than 70% of approved H-1B applicants in recent years. This predominance reflects India's substantial pool of skilled professionals in STEM fields and the strong economic opportunities available in the United States.