Sundar Pichai hails immigrants’ 'phenomenal' impact on US tech amid heated H-1B debate

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.”

While acknowledging flaws in the H-1B visa system, he said reforms were underway. “There’s a framework by which we can still bring talented individuals… they’re making changes to address some of the shortcomings.”

Pichai’s own journey mirrors that trajectory- arriving in the US as a student, moving to an H-1B visa, and eventually rising to lead Google and its parent company.

His comments come as the future of the H-1B programme faces renewed political pressure.

The debate intensified after former President Donald Trump proposed a $100,000 fee for new H-1B applications, which the White House later framed as an effort to curb abuses rather than dismantle the programme.

However, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has vowed to introduce a bill to “completely eliminate” the H-1B system and end its pathway to permanent residency, except for a limited quota of 10,000 visas for medical professionals, media reports said.

Her proposal would “force immigrants to return home” after visa expiry.

Such a move would significantly impact Indian nationals, who make up more than 70% of approved H-1B applicants due to a strong STEM talent pool and robust US opportunities.

Pichai’s defence of immigration reflects a stance he has held for years.

In 2020, responding to visa suspensions under the Trump administration, he wrote on X: “Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success… we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.”