Why Tech Expert Vivek Wadhwa Wants to Abolish the H-1B Visa Program

Wadhwa, a tech entrepreneur and academic, said the program has become 'badly corrupted' by labor arbitrage and body shops, which use it to undercut wages and control workers. He argues that skilled immigrants are trapped in indefinite green-card backlogs, unable to change jobs or advance, turning the visa into a form of indentured servitude.

His proposal is a complete replacement, not incremental reform. Wadhwa wants a new system that prioritizes entrepreneurs and job creators, rather than filling corporate staffing needs with tied workers. He believes this would attract talent that builds companies and generates employment, instead of feeding a pipeline of cheap labor.

For the Indian diaspora, the impact could be significant. Many Indian professionals on H-1B visas face decades-long waits for permanent residency due to per-country caps. A new system might reduce the number of Indians leaving for the U.S., strengthen India's own tech ecosystem as more stay or return, and offer greater mobility under fresh rules.

Wadhwa's stance marks a notable reversal, as he had previously advocated for expanding the program. His shift reflects growing frustration among immigrant advocates who see the visa as a broken pathway, and his call for abolition is likely to fuel debate in Washington and among diaspora communities.

The proposal comes amid broader scrutiny of the H-1B program, with critics on both sides of the aisle questioning its effects on American workers and immigrant rights. Wadhwa's plan, while controversial, adds a prominent voice to the push for a fundamental overhaul of U.S. skilled immigration policy.