H-1B visa holders create American jobs, says Congressman Suhas Subramanyam
Synopsis
A sitting US Congressman of Indian descent is pushing back hard against the narrative that H-1B workers steal American jobs — arguing instead that many become founders, citizens, and community builders. With immigration policy heating up, Suhas Subramanyam’s call to reform-not-restrict the H-1B programme puts him at the centre of one of Washington’s sharpest fault lines.
Key Takeaways
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District rejected claims that H-1B visa holders take jobs from Americans.
He argued that many H-1B holders go on to start companies and create jobs for American workers.
Subramanyam backed reforms to the H-1B programme to better protect American workers while preserving its core function.
He criticised the tactic of blaming immigrants for systemic economic problems, calling it a political diversion.
Indian nationals have long been the largest beneficiary group of the H-1B programme, particularly in technology and engineering.
Subramanyam has represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District since 2025 , a region home to a large immigrant and tech-professional population.
Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has firmly rejected the assertion that H-1B visa holders displace American workers, contending instead that many such immigrants go on to found companies and generate employment across the United States. The Democrat, who has represented Virginia's 10th Congressional District since 2025, made the remarks in an interview on 16 July.
Not a Zero-Sum Game
“This is not a zero-sum game,” Subramanyam said. “In fact, a lot of folks that come in on, let’s say, H-1B visas, they actually end up starting companies, creating jobs for Americans.”
The Congressman pointed to constituents in Northern Virginia — a technology-dense corridor within the Washington metropolitan region — as living examples of that trajectory. “There’s so many in my community who started off as H-1B visa holders who are now citizens and who are giving back so much to the community,” he said.
Backing Reform While Defending the Programme
Subramanyam acknowledged that the H-1B programme is not without flaws and called for targeted reforms to better protect American workers. “There are some issues with the program that we need to fix. We do wanna make sure that Americans have a shot at jobs,” he said.
At the same time, he argued that the programme has served a structural purpose. “The H-1B program has been successful in plugging in workforce gaps as well as having some of those folks become future Americans and contributing greatly to our society,” he added. His position — preserve, reform, and protect simultaneously — reflects a centrist Democratic stance that seeks to balance pro-immigration sentiment with labour-market accountability.
Criticism of Immigrant-Blaming Rhetoric
Subramanyam was sharper in his criticism of political narratives that pin broader economic difficulties on immigrant workers. “An age-old tactic is to blame immigrants for the economy or for anything that’s going wrong,” he said, arguing that such framing diverts attention from deeper systemic problems.
“Instead of blaming, why don’t we work together and why don’t we make sure that this world, this community, is great for everyone,” he said. This comes amid a renewed national debate in the United States over high-skilled immigration policy, with voices on both ends of the political spectrum pushing competing reform agendas.
Indian Americans and the US Economy
The Congressman, himself of Indian descent, framed Indian Americans as an inseparable part of the American story. “We’re Indian American, but we are American,” he said. “We’re proud of this country, and we want the next 250 years to be just as strong as the first 250.”
Indian nationals have historically accounted for a dominant share of H-1B beneficiaries, particularly in technology, engineering, and other specialised sectors. The programme permits US employers to hire foreign professionals for roles requiring specialised expertise, and has long been a primary pathway for skilled Indian workers entering the American labour market.
With immigration remaining a flashpoint ahead of the next electoral cycle, Subramanyam’s remarks signal that moderate Democrats are unlikely to cede the H-1B debate to restrictionist voices without a fight.
Point of View
Reform it, and protect American workers — three goals that frequently conflict in practice. The harder question his remarks leave unanswered is what specific reforms he would champion, and whether Democrats can credibly own that space before restrictionists define it for them. Indian Americans are the most visible H-1B constituency, but the debate has always been as much about domestic labour economics as it is about immigration. Without concrete legislative proposals, calls to ‘reform and protect’ risk sounding like a holding position rather than a policy.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Congressman Suhas Subramanyam say about H-1B visa holders?
Subramanyam said H-1B visa holders do not take jobs from Americans — rather, many of them go on to start companies and create employment. He described the debate as ‘not a zero-sum game’ and called for reforms that protect American workers while preserving the programme.
Who is Suhas Subramanyam?
Suhas Subramanyam is an Indian-American Democratic Congressman who has represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District since 2025. The district covers communities in Northern Virginia within the Washington metropolitan region and has a large population of immigrants and technology professionals.
What is the H-1B visa programme?
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign nationals for specialised occupations requiring technical or professional expertise. Indian nationals have historically been the largest beneficiary group, particularly in technology and engineering sectors.
Does Subramanyam support H-1B reforms?
Yes. Subramanyam acknowledged flaws in the programme and said reforms are needed to ensure American workers have fair access to jobs. However, he opposed scrapping or severely restricting the programme, arguing it fills critical workforce gaps and has helped immigrants become contributing American citizens.
Why is the H-1B debate significant for Indian Americans?
Indian nationals account for a major share of H-1B approvals each year, making the programme a critical pathway for skilled Indian professionals entering the US workforce. Any significant restriction or reform directly affects tens of thousands of Indian workers and their families annually.
