‘If we can’t bring the brains to America…’: Ex-Meta techie praises Indian talent, welcomes court ruling on H1-B visas | Today’s news
A post by former Meta engineer and tech entrepreneur Zach Wilson sparked online debate after he celebrated a US court ruling related to H-1B visas and praised the quality of engineering talent coming out of India.
Wilson, who teaches data engineering and runs a technology education platform, shared his thoughts on X shortly after a federal court struck down a proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.
The businessman argued that the fee would make it significantly more difficult for skilled foreign workers, especially Indians, to advance their careers in the United States.
“$100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Just Slashed”
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The court’s ruling struck down a proposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications that would have made it more difficult for skilled Indian workers to obtain employment in the US, providing relief to both employers and applicants.
Wilson praised India’s engineering talent as evidence of the country’s growing influence on global technology, stressing that if the US can’t attract talent, it will continue to thrive in India.
The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire skilled foreign workers, particularly from India, in specialty occupations, significantly impacting employment opportunities for Indian graduates seeking careers in the US technology sector.
Indian students face challenges such as increased uncertainty in job prospects due to immigration policies, competition with American graduates, and financial barriers such as the now-reduced $100,000 H-1B visa fee.
With a competitive US job market and uncertainty around immigration, some Indian students may find better opportunities in India’s growing tech sector, as recent discussions among tech experts have highlighted.
In response to the court’s decision, Wilson wrote, “The $100,000 H-1B visa fee was just struck down by a federal court.”
He said he has found it difficult in the past few months to advise Indian students hoping to build careers in the US tech sector.
According to Wilson, immigration policies under President Donald Trump have limited opportunities for many emerging professionals.
He wrote that it was “depressing” to tell Indian students looking for data engineering jobs in the US that their prospects had become more uncertain.
Why Bengaluru and Hyderabad left an impression
Wilson said his concerns about immigration restrictions were part of the reason he traveled to Bengaluru and Hyderabad earlier this year.
Read also | ‘I’m scared’: Indian engineer’s US visa disputes spark debate on social media
During his visit, he met entrepreneurs, engineers and technology professionals working in India’s fast-growing startup and innovation ecosystem.
Reflecting on these interactions, he wrote, “If we can’t bring the brains to America, the brains will continue to build wonderful things in India.”
Wilson also praised the growth of India’s technology sector, calling it proof that “the world is catching up”.
His remarks struck a chord with many users, who saw them as an acknowledgment of India’s growing influence on global technology and innovation.
Read also | Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee struck down by federal judge as illegal
‘Proud To Be An American’
The businessman also described the court’s decision as a reminder of the institutional guarantees that, in his opinion, continue to support innovation and immigration in the US.
“The businessman also hailed the court’s decision as evidence that America still has the ‘checks and balances’ needed to remain a country driven by immigrants and innovation.”
He added: “Today is one of the few days in a very long time that I say I’m proud to be an American and that my government is doing something right.”
Critics are pushing back
Not everyone agreed with Wilson’s position.
Read also | H1B visa revoked for overstaying in India: US businessmen say: ‘Justified’
His post quickly drew criticism from users who argued that American graduates should be given more priority in the domestic job market.
One commenter pointed to the challenges faced by thousands of American graduates with degrees in data science and related fields, arguing that gaps in the H-1B and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs put young Americans entering the workforce at a disadvantage.
“Have you ever thought of training American students?
I honestly know at least 10 college graduates who got degrees in data science and software engineering and can’t even get an interview let alone a job.
Yet many of the same companies hire H1B visa holders,” the user asked.
The criticism has reopened a familiar debate over skilled immigration, labor shortages and technology competition.
“Jobs would be sent to Bangalore anyway”
Wilson responded directly to some of the criticism, arguing that globalization and outsourcing have already changed the way companies hire talent.
“The jobs would be sent to Bangalore anyway, so it’s not like they’re taking a job that would go to an American,” he wrote.
He also defended Indian professionals against criticism, saying that he had worked under several Indian managers during his Big Tech career and had never experienced discrimination.