The appointment of Sriram Krishnan as Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence has ignited a fierce debate that pits Silicon Valley’s tech titans against the populist MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. At the heart of this clash is a growing tension over the future of US immigration policy and the role that foreign talent, particularly from countries like India, should play in shaping America’s technological landscape.
David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur and ally of Krishnan, has once again stepped forward to defend his friend amid increasing criticism. In response to a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), which asked, “Did any of yall vote for this Indian to run America?” Sacks responded by emphasizing Krishnan’s qualifications and US citizenship.
A community note on the post had already clarified that Krishnan, a US citizen, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to advise on AI policy, but Sacks took the opportunity to rebut further: “Sriram has been a US citizen for a decade. He’s not ‘running America.’ He’s advising on A.I. policy. He will have no influence over US immigration policy. These attacks have become crude, and not in the holiday spirit. I’m signing off now. Have a merry Christmas.”
Loomer’s criticism and the MAGA backlash
Sacks’ defense follows a string of attacks from far-right critics, including conservative commentator Laura Loomer. She has been vocal in her disapproval of Krishnan’s appointment, accusing him of betraying the “America First” agenda by advocating for immigration reforms that she claims would undermine American workers. Loomer’s criticisms focus on Krishnan’s support for removing country-specific caps on green cards, which she argues would prioritize foreign workers over American talent.
However, Sacks and others have pushed back against these accusations, clarifying Krishnan’s stance on immigration. In a series of posts, Sacks explained that Krishnan’s position on green card reform is focused on removing country-specific caps, which currently create long wait times for applicants from countries like India, while applicants from other nations face little delay. “Sriram didn’t say he wants to remove all caps on green cards. He said he wants to remove country caps on green cards,” Sacks explained. “Right now, every country in the world gets allocated the same number of green cards, no matter how many qualified applicants it has.”
Ro Khanna joins the defense
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna also weighed in on the controversy, highlighting that Krishnan’s rise to a senior policy role in the US government reflects the values of American exceptionalism, not a threat to it. Khanna posted on X: “You fools criticizing @sriramk as Indian born criticize Musk as South African born or Jensen as Taiwanese born. It is GREAT that talent around the world wants to come here, not to China, and that Sriram can rise to the highest levels. It’s called American exceptionalism.”
Khanna’s remarks underscore a key point in the ongoing debate: the notion that the US benefits from attracting global talent, especially in the rapidly evolving fields of technology and AI, which require highly skilled workers.
H-1B Visa debate and Krishnan’s immigration stance
A major point of contention in this debate is the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in the fields of technology and engineering. Critics of the program, like Loomer, argue that it is often abused by companies seeking to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. On the other hand, supporters like Sriram Krishnan argue that such programs are essential for maintaining the US’s competitive edge in global tech.
Krishnan has long advocated for reforms to the green card system, emphasizing a merit-based approach that prioritizes highly skilled workers rather than basing allocation on country quotas. Under the current system, applicants from high-demand countries, like India, can face decades-long waiting periods for green cards, while applicants from other nations face little to no delay. By removing country caps, Krishnan believes the US can create a more efficient system that better meets the needs of the country’s technology sector.
Role of AI and global talent in US leadership
As Senior Policy Advisor for AI, Krishnan’s focus will be on shaping US strategy in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence. While his views on immigration are closely tied to this issue, the broader conversation about America’s future in technology cannot be separated from these debates. Figures like Sacks, Krishnan, and Ro Khanna argue that attracting and retaining top talent from around the world is critical for ensuring the US remains a global leader in AI and other high-tech sectors.
The controversy, however, reflects a larger divide within the MAGA movement itself. On one side are the “tech titans” of Silicon Valley, who champion a more open, merit-based immigration system that encourages global competition and innovation. On the other side are the “MAGA farmers,” who believe that such policies undermine American workers and prioritize foreign interests over domestic prosperity.
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