Stanford, California, USA: Asha Jadeja Motwani, a well-known Indian-American venture capitalist, has called for stricter regulations on the United States’ H-1B visa program, expressing concerns that it increasingly attracts average engineering talent rather than elite professionals.

In a post on X, which garnered over 54,000 views, Motwani began by acknowledging the benefits of the program, stating that the U.S. is correct in seeking top global talent, particularly in the technology sector. However, she added, “Mediocre engineering talent coming to the U.S. on H-1B visas is a bad idea.”

Motwani suggested that the number of H-1B visas should be reduced and reserved for truly exceptional foreign talent. This, she argued, would also open more opportunities for American workers in tech-related jobs. Her comments sparked debate online. Critics claimed her distinction between “top talent” and “mediocre hires” could feed anti-immigrant sentiments, while supporters agreed that H-1B allocations should focus on specialized, high-value roles.

A known supporter of the Republican Party, Motwani has frequently spoken out about H-1B reforms. She previously stated on X that she discussed the importance of Indian engineers and merit-based selection with former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. She added that she hopes her advocacy influenced a shift toward more merit-driven policies, praising the administration for being “open to good ideas from either side of the aisle.”

Reflecting on her own experiences and those of her late husband, Stanford computer scientist Rajeev Motwani, she remarked that they might not have been able to come to the U.S. if the current H-1B environment had existed in the 1980s.

Her remarks arrive amid notable changes in the H-1B landscape, with large U.S. tech firms now dominating new visa approvals, while major India-based IT service companies have experienced significant declines.