The appointment of Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the White House has created a political stir. Krishnan’s appointment comes at a time when the debate over immigration and tech policy is louder than ever. Critics on social media have accused Krishnan of undermining Trump’s “America First” agenda and are demanding a ban on H1-B visas. Basically, they want fewer Indians in Silicon Valley.

The opposition to Krishnan on X (formerly Twitter) was led by far-right political activist Laura Loomer. Their anger was particularly focused on Krishnan’s advocacy for removing country-specific limits on green cards, a reform aimed at addressing the long backlog that disproportionately affects Indian applicants.

In a post on X, Loomer wrote, “Very disturbed to see the appointment of Sriram Krishnan @sriramk as Senior Policy Advisor for AI.” He charged that Krishnan’s policies would encourage foreign workers to dominate Silicon Valley and sideline American STEM graduates. His stance appealed to parts of Trump’s base that are skeptical of high-skilled immigration.

Silicon Valley vs Trump supporters

The reaction did not stop here. New York-based conservative columnist Gavin Mario Wax added to the criticism, warning of the dangers of relying on “cheap foreign tech workers.” Loomer immediately supported him and argued that such conflicts had occurred before Trump’s re-election. Their argument painted a picture of Silicon Valley as a battleground between “tech bros” and nationalist populists, an alliance that is bound to crack under pressure.

However, prominent figures from the tech world immediately came to Sriram’s defence. Venture capitalist David Sachs rejected the allegations. Sachs attempted to distance Krishnan from the ideological tag imposed by his opponents, tweeting, “Sriram is certainly not a ‘career leftist’.” Meanwhile, Joe Lonsdale, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, argued that America must continue to attract the “best and brightest” to maintain its global lead.

immigration puzzle

At the center of the debate is the controversial H-1B visa program, which allows American companies to hire skilled foreign workers. While supporters see it as an important tool for attracting top talent, critics argue that it displaces American workers and drives down wages. Trump supporters see Krishnan’s appointment as a sign of a change in immigration policy they believe undermines domestic talent.

Krishnan’s advocacy of reforms such as removing country-specific limits on green cards has further fueled controversy. Currently, US immigration laws allocate green cards equally among all countries, a system that disproportionately affects Indian applicants due to high demand. While applicants from smaller countries face minimal delays, Indians often wait for more than a decade. Krishnan has called for a merit-based system that prioritizes efficiency, a stance that has drawn support from the likes of Elon Musk but angered immigration skeptics.

Silicon Valley’s reaction

The tech community has rallied around Krishnan, highlighting the indispensable contributions of high-skilled immigrants to the American economy. Jason Calacanis, a tech investor, was among those who pushed back against anti-immigration rhetoric, emphasizing that immigrants are integral to innovation and economic growth. Krishnan himself has been outspoken in defending his stance on policies designed to make America a magnet for global talent.

The divide between Silicon Valley and Trump’s base is emblematic of a broader cultural and political conflict. On one side are tech leaders advocating open borders to spur innovation, while on the other side are populists who believe uncontrolled immigration threatens American jobs and values. At present, the debate continues. Trump’s base sees Krishnan’s nomination as a betrayal of the “America First” ethos, while Silicon Valley sees it as a step toward preserving American leadership in technology.