Republican White House candidate Vivek Ramaswamy announces plans to gut "lottery" H-1B, vows to restore 'meritocratic' immigration

Indian-American Republican White House candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized the H-1B visa program, calling for it to be replaced with a "meritocratic" skill-based immigration system that aligns with the needs of the United States. In an interview with Fox News lasgt week, Ramaswamy expressed his dissatisfaction with the current H-1B visa lottery system, stating that it should be replaced by a system that prioritizes skills and civic commitments.

The H-1B visa program is widely used by Indian IT professionals, allowing US companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills. Technology companies, in particular, rely on this program to hire thousands of employees annually from countries like India and China.

Ramaswamy emphasized the need to overhaul the H-1B system and establish a merit-based immigration system that assesses skills beyond just technical expertise. He also suggested that applicants should take a citizenship test as part of the visa application process.


Ramaswamy also criticized certain provisions in the H-1B program, such as restrictions on H-1B visa holders changing employers without going through a bureaucratic process.

These remarks from Ramaswamy follow his earlier comments where he referred to the H-1B system as "bad for everyone" involved. He argued that as a presidential candidate, his responsibility is to reform the rules for the benefit of all Americans, and he advocates for restoring merit in the immigration process.

Ramaswamy, who is competing for the Republican Party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election, has positioned himself as a candidate with a restrictive immigration policy agenda. His proposals have garnered attention, including suggestions of using military force to secure the border and deporting US-born children of undocumented immigrants.

H-1B visas remain in high demand, with more applications submitted than available slots. Ramaswamy's stance on immigration, among other policy positions, has helped him stand out in the crowded field of Republican primary candidates.