The debate on H-1B visas has heated up again as Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) base has once again called for a complete moratorium on hiring skilled workers from countries like India. The controversy gained momentum earlier this week after the appointment of Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor for AI in Trump’s administration, leading people on the far-right to allege that the move was an “America First” “Undermines the agenda. While some blame immigration policies for the displacement of American workers, entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offers a different perspective: The issue is not with immigration but with American culture.

Ramaswamy delivered a bold critique on X (formerly Twitter) of what he sees as America’s systemic failure to foster excellence among its youth. In his post, he argued that top tech companies hire foreign-born and first-generation engineers not because Americans lack innate talent, but because American culture prioritizes mediocrity over excellence.

The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born and first-generation engineers rather than “native” Americans is not due to innate American IQ deficiency (lazy and misinterpreted). An important part of this comes down to the C-word: culture. Difficult questions demand difficult answers and if… – Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) 26 December 2024

“The situation doesn’t cut it any less in a highly competitive global market for tech talent,” Ramaswamy tweeted. He pointed to the cultural glorification of prom queens and jocks in comparison to math geniuses and valedictorians as a fundamental flaw in American society.

In a lengthy post, Ramaswami highlights widespread concerns about the cultural upbringing of predominantly American children. He compared the values ​​of immigrant families, which often emphasize academic rigor, discipline, and achievement, with what he described as “normalcy” celebrated by mainstream American culture.

Citing examples of popular 90s TV shows like Boy Meets World and Saved by the Bell, Ramaswamy highlighted how American media has long idealized the attractive but average hero, while “stupid” characters Is presented as comic relief. He wrote, “A culture that reveres Zach and Slater over Corey in ‘Boy Meets World,’ or Screech in ‘Saved by the Bell’ won’t produce the best engineers.”

Immigrant families often avoid such cultural distractions, he said. Many placed strict limits on television and social outings while encouraging their children to focus on math competitions, science projects, and other intellectually enriching activities. Ramaswamy argued that the results speak for themselves – these kids often grow up to be leaders in STEM fields.

Maga is angry

Of course, a lot of Americans were offended by Vivek Ramaswamy’s post. Many took issue with Ramaswamy framing the issue as cultural rather than systemic. Some have condemned his comments as dismissive of American workers and overly sympathetic to H-1B visa holders.

An oft-repeated argument was the prevalence of fraud and manipulation within the H-1B visa system. Some commentators claimed that unqualified individuals (from India) often secure jobs in the US with fake credentials, posing significant risks to national security. One user wrote, “Issuing fake education documents to get US jobs is an incentive in India.”

Some have pointed out that relying on foreign workers undermines the achievements of previous American generations, such as those who landed America on the Moon or built its aerospace industry, accomplishments long before the influx of H-1B workers.

Others cite the economic realities behind hiring preference, saying that companies favor foreign workers not because of cultural excellence but because of cost advantages. They argued that temporary visa holders are often underpaid and face exploitative conditions, because their residence is tied to employment. This creates a power imbalance, allowing corporations to suppress wages and control working conditions, which harms both American and foreign workers.

However, on a larger scale, Ramaswamy’s dichotomy between excellence and mediocrity drew sharp criticism. One commentator said, “Defining success as requiring the abandonment of social experiences or leisure is harmful,” emphasizing that balance and well-being are vital to sustainable achievement. He argues that immigrant families’ focus on academic rigor, while admirable, represents only one path to success and should not be seen as the gold standard for all.

Vivek, your claim that “native” Americans are overlooked for top tech positions due to cultural generality is not only dismissive and overly simplistic, it is an implicit endorsement of illegal practices under US law. By presenting this as a cultural issue, you may inadvertently… – Alb (@amandalouise416) 26 December 2024

Perhaps the harshest criticism accused Ramaswamy of bias, with some alleging that his comments were designed to defend a system that disproportionately benefits individuals of his own ethnic background. One critic commented, “That’s all I need to read to understand that Vivek is defending a system that encourages more of his people to come to America.”

The response underscores the deep divisions surrounding the H1-B visa debate. While Ramaswami intended to be introspective about cultural values, many Americans interpreted his posts as an attack on their way of life and a defense of exploitative labor practices. For a nation grappling with questions of identity, fairness and global competitiveness, his comments have created a panic that is unlikely to subside any time soon.

H-1B debate

Ramaswamy’s criticism comes amid a heated debate over the H-1B visa program. MAGA proponents argue that the program allows companies to prioritize cheaper, foreign talent over domestic workers, thereby weakening American job security. Conservative activist Laura Loomer has been particularly vocal, accusing Sriram Krishnan, senior policy advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the White House, of betraying Trump’s “America First” policy by advocating reforms to the green card backlog, Due to which Indian workers benefit disproportionately.

On the other hand, proponents of high-skilled immigration, including Silicon Valley leaders, argue that attracting top global talent is essential to maintaining America’s competitive edge. Ramaswamy agrees with this viewpoint, but takes it a step further by urging Americans to focus on developing their domestic talent.