US nation of immigrants, scope for expanding influx: Biden aide

America is a nation of immigrants, and there’s broad support for expanding legal immigration in the country, a top domestic policy advisor to US President Joe Biden has said amidst a raging debate on the most sought-after H-1B visa.

The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in speciality occupations. Indian companies have been significant beneficiaries of this programme, particularly in the technology sector.

“I think even in the raging immigration debate, it’s really important for all of us to remember that we are a nation of immigrants, and there’s broad support for expanding legal immigration in the country. We’ll see how that goes in the future, but that’s been the case,” Indian-American Neera Tanden told international media in an interview.

Indians are the main beneficiaries of the H-1B visas, which bring in the best of the talent and brains from across the world. Highly skilled professionals from India walk away with the overwhelming number of H-1B visas.

Tanden has been serving as director of the United States Domestic Policy Council since 2023. A close confidant of outgoing US President Biden, Tanden has been a key part of the White House during the last four years.

She was responding to a question on the ongoing debate on H-1B and the continued backlash against Indian-Americans.