US pollster plans starting consultancy firm to 'de-Indianize' tech sector
What's the story
Mark Mitchell, the CEO of polling company Rasmussen Reports, has intensified his criticism of Indian tech professionals in the United States. He said he is now looking to start a consultancy firm that would help "de-Indianize" major American companies. The H-1B visa program, which allows US tech firms to hire foreign talent, has come under increased scrutiny under Donald Trump's second presidency. Indians receive more than 70% of the 85,000 H-1B visas issued each year.
Consultancy plan
Mitchell's proposal and its implications
In a post on X, Mitchell proposed starting a consultancy firm to "de-Indianize" US companies. He wrote, "I have never in my life wanted anything more than this: To build a new corporate consultancy helping major firms de-Indianize." "I would work until I drop dead," he responded to a user who commented on the post.
Visa debate
Mitchell's controversial statements on H-1B visa holders
Mitchell had recently also said that sending back senior techies on H-1B visas should be a priority. "Every single H-1B, you know, senior developer at Apple that we send back, that's the equivalent economically probably of deporting 10 illegal aliens. So I don't know why we didn't do that yesterday. And the idea, yes, a lot of these people are entry-level, but a lot of them are making...tonne of money," he told Steve Bannon on Real America's Voice News.
Workforce statistics
Mitchell's claims about foreign engineers and their impact
Mitchell has claimed that US tech companies use foreign engineers as cheaper alternatives to American workers. He said an H-1B developer making $90,000 a year is treated like 10 illegal aliens making $9 an hour. According to him, two-thirds of Silicon Valley's workforce is foreign-born with Indian nationals being overrepresented. "Walmart had engineering buildings that had 85-95% Indian nationals. They come in on these golden pathways, and they take these jobs," he said.
Public response
Backlash against Mitchell's comments
Mitchell's comments have drawn criticism from commentators who accused him of scapegoating successful immigrant groups. Kartik Gada, a tech and finance executive, wrote, "When you reach the point that the most-educated...taxpaying, lowest violent crime...is the one you hate most...YOU are the personification of America's present-day dysfunction." According to industry figures, 66% of the Silicon Valley workforce is foreign-born, with Indians accounting for 23% and Chinese for 18%. However, H-1B workers account for only approximately 0.3-0.4% of America's entire labor force.