(AP News, Hyderabad)
In a stunning display of corporate caution amid President Trump’s sweeping H-1B visa crackdown—slapping a $100,000 fee on new applications effective today—Indian American tech titans like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, along with immigrant billionaire Elon Musk, have gone radio silent. This leaves the industry scrambling as old pro-visa rants from Musk resurface like digital ghosts.
The sudden roll-out has generated widespread debate in tech circles, but prominent Indian American CEOs (many of whom benefited from H-1B visas early in their careers) and immigrant tech figures have largely remained “publicly silent” on the new rules as of today. This reticence stands in contrast to their vocal support for immigration in past years, amid fears of alienating stakeholders or escalating political tensions. Here’s a breakdown based on available statements and context:
Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO, Indian-origin H-1B beneficiary)
No direct public response to the US proclamation. Nadella, who arrived in the U.S. on an H-1B visa in the 1990s, has not commented via X, interviews, or Microsoft channels.
Earlier in 2025, he defended Microsoft’s heavy H-1B usage amid backlash over 9,000 layoffs (some linked to visa-dependent roles), emphasizing the need for global talent. In a September 5 town hall, he praised broader U.S. policies on AI and education as “vital for innovation,” but avoided H-1B specifics. Microsoft has quietly advised affected employees on compliance, similar to peers.
Sundar Pichai (Google/Alphabet CEO, Indian-origin H-1B beneficiary)
Silent on the new fee and restrictions. Pichai, who used an H-1B visa in the 1990s to join McKinsey, has not issued statements. Google, a top H-1B sponsor, sent an “urgent” internal memo to visa holders abroad, urging immediate return to the U.S. before the rules take effect, but this was operational guidance, not a Pichai-led critique.
In early September 2025, Pichai echoed Nadella in lauding U.S. AI initiatives under Trump, calling them a “way forward” despite shrinking H-1B slots for Indians (down due to caps and competition).
Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX/xAI CEO, South African immigrant on H-1B/J-1 visas)
No new statements on the 2025 rules, despite his history of vocal H-1B advocacy. Musk, who transitioned from a J-1 to H-1B visa in the 1990s, has not posted on X about the $100K fee or entry ban.
His past comments (resurfacing virally today) show strong, sometimes contradictory support: He credits H-1B for building SpaceX/Tesla with “critical people,” vowing in December 2024 to “go to war” against abolition efforts and calling it the “reason I’m in America.” However, he repeatedly stressed reforms like raising the minimum salary floor from $60K (set in 1998) to $120K (inflation-adjusted) and adding a $10K annual maintenance fee to prioritize “top 1% talent” over “cheap labour” or outsourcing. He criticized low-wage abusers (e.g., firms like Cognizant) and the lottery system but opposed outright cuts.
Broader Context Among Similar Figures
Other Indian American tech leaders also stayed quiet, per reports labeling it a “silence of the lambs” among Silicon Valley beneficiaries. This mirrors 2024 debates where Musk clashed with MAGA hardliners, but the new rules—framed as anti-abuse rather than anti-immigration—may explain the muted reaction.
Tech firms are scrambling internally: Layoffs tied to visa dependencies (e.g., Microsoft’s July cuts) have fueled criticism, but no coordinated CEO push back has emerged yet. Analysts predict this could shift if the fee disrupts hiring for AI/engineering roles.
In summary, while the rules threaten a key talent artery for U.S. tech (especially Indian professionals, who receive more than 70% of H-1Bs), the response from these leaders is notable for its absence— possibly strategic amid Trump’s pro-business pivot on AI.
