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Indian origin CEO defends H-1B immigration amid backlash
He argued that opportunities remain open to everyone, including white Americans, stating there are no barriers to starting companies, raising capital, or hiring talent.
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Anushka Pathak - Sat, 21, Feb 2026
- 12:48 EST
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U.S. flag, mock passport, 100 dollar banknote and H-1B visa application form are seen in this illustration taken September 26, 2025. / REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
An Indian-origin CEO defended the H-1B visa program on X after a viral post accused Telugu-speaking immigrants of using fraudulent means to purchase million-dollar homes in Texas.
Responding to the claim, Nitish Kannan said most H-1B visa holders in technology roles earn six-figure salaries, which, when supplemented with dual income and proper financial investments, allows for buying homes at higher price points, not fraud.
Kannan pointed to his own family’s experience. He shared how 15 of his cousins arrived in the United States on H-1B visas, secured six- or seven-figure incomes, bought homes, became citizens, built multimillion-dollar wealth across multiple properties, and paid tens of millions of dollars in U.S. taxes.
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15 of my cousins came here on an H1B visa and they all make over six or seven figures and they all own homes and have become citizens 100% of my family are multimillionaires and owned multiple homes and have paid tens of millions of dollars in taxes
— Nitish Kannan (@nitut1) February 19, 2026
Kannan also argued that opportunities in the technology sector remain open to everyone, including white Americans, stating there are no barriers to starting companies, raising capital, or hiring talent.
Going further, he urged critics to pursue similar paths through education and professional development while also considering business acquisitions, including motels listed on platforms.
The exchange resulted from a Feb. 19 post by X user The Repatriator, who shared a screenshot from a Facebook group appearing to serve a private or semi-private South Asian housing community.
The image showed an anonymous member seeking advice on newly built homes in Frisco or Prosper, Texas, priced between US $1 million and US $2 million.
In the caption accompanying a screenshot, the X user mocked the idea that a Telugu-speaking immigrant could move from modest living conditions to owning a US $1 million to US $2 million home in Texas after securing an H-1B visa, implying the use of fraudulent documents.
Wow.
— The Repatriator (@DrRepatriator) February 19, 2026
Be a telugu, live in a shack with 20 relatives in teluguland- win an H1B lottery, come to America on fake docs and suddenly be able to afford a brand new 1-2M dollar home. That makes sense. pic.twitter.com/5EKrbuqfih
The remark set the tone for the thread, framing the home purchase as evidence of systemic abuse. The post quickly gained traction, prompting replies that expanded the allegations to include overseas real estate scams, visa fraud, migration-driven housing inflation, and broader claims that the H-1B program was being exploited at the expense of American workers.
The episode comes amid a broader pattern of H-1B visa-related hate and anti-Indian rhetoric in Texas.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed state agencies and public institutions of higher education to freeze new H-1B visa petitions on Jan. 27, citing reports of abuse in the federal program and directing a review of current usage. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced a sweeping investigation into alleged H-1B visa abuse by Texas businesses, issuing Civil Investigative Demands to three North Texas companies suspected of fraudulent activity.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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