Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has praised immigrants for transforming the United States technology industry. He said their impact on innovation and growth has been “phenomenal” and continues to shape the country’s global leadership in technology.
Pichai spoke to the BBC about the long history of foreign talent contributing to the tech sector. He acknowledged that the current H-1B work visa system has limitations but said the US government understands the importance of skilled workers. He added that authorities are working to improve the programme and create better ways to bring talented people into the country.
Pichai’s comments reflect his own journey. He arrived in the United States as an international student and later moved to an H-1B visa. His career eventually led him to the top leadership position at Google and Alphabet.
His support for immigration is not new. In 2020, he criticised the Trump administration’s suspension of several work visa categories and said immigrants helped build both the US economy and Google.
The debate over the H-1B programme has intensified recently. Former President Donald Trump proposed a $100,000 fee for new applications. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she will introduce a bill to end the programme entirely, except for 10,000 medical professionals per year.
The plan would heavily affect Indian professionals, who make up more than 70% of H-1B approvals.
