Some H-1B workers say they feel insulted by immigration debate over visa holders
In recent days, Trump said he supported H-1B visas. In the past, he’s made comments about the program, saying, “We shouldn’t have it. Very, very bad for workers.”
Missouri resident Madhav Rao Pasumarti holds an H-1B visa working in IT managing product processes. Over the last couple weeks, he’s watched as he and others who share his visa status have been called “invaders” and “cheap labor.”
He said it’s hurtful and baffling, and he pointed out that visa holders like him are people who want to contribute and have much at stake.
As the issue continues to be the subject of debate, people like Pasumarti, 49, who hold an H-1B, a temporary visa for high-skilled workers, say they’re unsure of what will happen to them.
“It is confusing, actually, to be frank with you,” Pasumarti said, pointing out the whiplash between other recent messaging that focuses on embracing immigrants with specialty skills.
A fiery debate between different factions of MAGA loyalists ignited on social media in the days following Christmas after some of President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers came out in support of legal, high-skill immigration. It started after Trump named venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan to an artificial intelligence advisory role. An explosion of racism and xenophobia against Krishnan followed, with some on the far right criticizing him for past statements in support of green cards for skilled workers.
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