In a surprising stance, GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has pledged to “gut” the H-1B visa system, a program that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized roles. This declaration comes despite Ramaswamy having utilized the very system to hire high-skilled foreign workers for his pharmaceutical company, Roivant Sciences, in the past.
Calls for Reform
Ramaswamy argues that the current H-1B system is flawed and needs reform. He insists that the lottery-based admission system should be replaced with a meritocratic one. He claims that the existing system is akin to “indentured servitude” that primarily benefits sponsoring companies and calls for its overhaul. Additionally, he advocates for the elimination of chain-based migration.
He asserts that immigrants arriving as family members are not necessarily those who contribute to the country’s skill-based workforce.
Past Business Practices
Ramaswamy stepped down as the CEO of Roivant Sciences in February 2021 but continued to chair the company’s board of directors until he announced his presidential campaign in February of the following year. During the period from 2018 to 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 29 H-1B visa applications for Ramaswamy’s former company. As of March 31, the company and its subsidiaries employed 904 full-time workers, including 825 in the United States.
Addressing Discrepancies
In response to questions regarding the apparent inconsistency between Ramaswamy’s policy stance and his previous business practices, his press secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, stated that policymakers must prioritize what is best for the country. She likened his situation to that of using water and electricity while advocating for changes in energy regulations, asserting that both scenarios involve acknowledging flaws in systems that need fixing.
A Restrictionist Immigration Agenda
Vivek Ramaswamy has gained attention for his strict immigration policy agenda within the GOP presidential race. His proposals include replacing lottery-based visas, like the H-1B, with a “meritocratic” admission system, using military force to secure the border, and deporting U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.
High Demand for H-1B Visas
H-1B visas remain in high demand, with U.S. businesses submitting 780,884 applications for just 85,000 available slots for fiscal year 2021—an increase of over 60 percent. Ramaswamy’s views on H-1B visas draw parallels to former President Donald Trump’s hardline stance during his 2016 campaign, despite both having hired foreign workers through the program for their businesses.
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