A US pollster, Mark Mitchell, CEO of Rasmussen Reports, has sparked controversy with his recent remarks concerning H-1B visa holders, particularly those of Indian origin, and their impact on the American workforce. Speaking on the podcast 'The War Room' with Stephen K. Bannon, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, Mitchell stated that "for every single H-1B, you know, senior developer at Apple that we send back, that's the equivalent economically, probably of deporting ten illegal aliens". These comments, made on December 8, 2025, have been widely circulated and criticized.
Mitchell's statements extend beyond mere economic comparisons. He has expressed a desire to create a corporate consultancy aimed at helping major firms "de-Indianize," a term that has raised significant questions and concerns. He argues that Silicon Valley is overly reliant on engineers from India and China, who he claims are utilized as cheaper substitutes for American workers. Mitchell went so far as to label these foreign-born workers as "third-world engineers". He also claimed that some workplaces, including Walmart, employ around 85–95% Indian nationals.
These remarks have ignited debate about the H-1B visa program, which allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations. Mitchell claims that these companies exploit a "bottomless well" of cheap labor, thereby disadvantaging American families. He alleges that American employees are often forced to train their replacements before being laid off. He also said that American workers can be easily replaced by Indian workers. According to a 2025 industry index, approximately 66% of Silicon Valley's tech workforce is foreign-born, with 23% being Indian nationals and 18% Chinese. Despite this, H-1B holders account for only 0.3 to 0.4% of America's overall workforce of 163 million.
Mitchell's perspective is that companies are using the H-1B visa program to reduce costs, replacing older American engineers with cheaper labor from other countries. He compared the economic impact of an H-1B developer earning $90,000 per year to that of importing ten undocumented laborers earning $9 an hour.
Public opinion on the H-1B visa program is divided. A recent poll indicated that 73% of voters believe legal immigration is beneficial for the United States, while illegal immigration is detrimental. However, views differ on why companies utilize H-1B visas. While 36% believe it's due to a lack of qualified American workers, a majority (54%) think companies use the program to hire foreign workers willing to work for less.
Mitchell's comments have been criticized as being anti-immigrant and discriminatory. Critics argue that his characterization of Indian engineers as "third-world" is offensive and inaccurate. Others contend that H-1B workers contribute significantly to the US economy and fill crucial skill gaps.
