In the recent crackdown by the US government on visas and the role of immigrants, tensions have risen among migrant citizens in the nation. Amid the ongoing debate, a leading voice – Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai – praised the role of immigrants in shaping the United States’ technology landscape, calling their contributions “phenomenal.” He added that the government “understands it” and that there are still avenues to bring in “talented individuals.”
In an interview with the BBC, Pichai said, “If you look at the history of technology development, the contribution of immigrants to the sector has been nothing but phenomenal.” He also noted the shortcomings of the H-1B visa programme and said the government is working to rectify them. He further added, “I think there’s a framework by which we all can still bring talented individuals. I think they’re making changes to address some of the shortcomings in the current programme.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai HAILS H1-B Visa Which Allowed Him To Enter The US: "If you look at the history of technology development, the contribution of immigrants to the sector has been nothing but phenomenal."
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 19, 2025
📹 BBC pic.twitter.com/gxmz9nrx7A
Pichai himself arrived in the US as an international student before moving to an H-1B visa, eventually rising to lead Google and its parent company, Alphabet.
Pichai has consistently spoken in defence of the H-1B visa. In 2020, following the Trump administration’s move to suspend immigrant work visas, Pichai wrote on X, “Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s success, making it a global leader in tech – and also Google the company it is today.” In an earlier post on X, he had expressed similar sentiments.
Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 22, 2020
The latest debate surrounding the H-1B system intensified after former President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications in September. The White House has since clarified that its goal is to curb abuses within the system rather than eliminate the programme entirely.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said she plans to introduce legislation to “completely eliminate” the H-1B programme and end its pathway to permanent residence in the United States. Under her proposal, immigrants would be required to return home once their visas expire.
Her proposal includes one exemption – a cap of 10,000 visas per year for medical professionals such as doctors and nurses.
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