Recently, a spiritual teacher was asked to weigh in on Donald Trump's controversial proposal: charging companies $100,000 for H1-B visas. This announcement has caused significant concern among young Indian professionals in cities like Bengaluru and Pune, many of whom harbor dreams of working in the United States. The question posed to the teacher was, "How should we view this political decision?" His response, however, took an unexpected turn, shifting the focus from American policy to Indian self-reliance.
The teacher observed that it’s America’s prerogative to set its own immigration rules, just as India would assert its sovereignty over its policies. The real question, he argued, isn't about Trump's decision, but rather, "What are we doing?" He highlighted that 72% of H1-B visas are granted to Indians, suggesting that if India's talent was truly indispensable, American companies would be up in arms, lamenting the increased costs and their reliance on Indian professionals. Instead, the current panic is primarily among Indian hopefuls. Why? Because the H1-B visa isn't just a work permit; it's often the first step towards a Green Card, then permanent residency, and ultimately, citizenship. The employer, in this scenario, becomes the unwitting "guarantor" in a process that could see an Indian passport swapped for an American one in less than a decade. The teacher drew a parallel to Trump's demands for India to lower tariffs on American cars and agro-products. India rightly pushes back, prioritizing its farmers and domestic manufacturers. So why, he asked, should the US not do the same? He passionately questioned why, decades after independence, India still finds its educated youth yearning to "run to America." Why, he wondered, should this policy stir such anxiety in Indian tech cities? This introspective view challenges India to foster an environment where its brightest minds aspire to build their future within their own nation, rather than seeking opportunities abroad, turning a foreign policy issue into a profound domestic challenge.
