An Indian-origin man living in Texas has courted controversy after suggesting that all H-1B visa holders should be sent back home and that the “government should end the program”. Rohit Joy made this controversial statement after Congressman Rich McCormick said that he joined “a bipartisan push to expand domestic visa renewals for H-1B and other low-risk visa holders”.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, several Congress members said that the government should consider renewing the 2024 pilot program for domestic visa renewals and expand it to include additional E, H, I, L, O or P visas to “ease burdens on workers and businesses alike”. At present, individuals must get their visas renewed at the US embassy in their home countries.
The two-page letter concludes with signatures from several Congressmen. Fellow Indian-origin US Reps Suhas Subramanyam, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna’s approval was joined by Members of Congress Rich McCormick, Henry C ‘Hank’ Johnson Jr, Don Bacon and Sanford D Bishop Jr.
Joy, who didn’t like the H-1B visa program, said that it shouldn’t be renewed as it has “nothing to do with America’s competitiveness”.
“Nope. All H-1B visas should expire, the program should be ended, and visa holders should be sent back to their home countries,” wrote Joy on X (formerly Twitter).
He added, “It has nothing to do with keeping America competitive. Our major national competitors don’t bring in large numbers of foreign workers.”
Nope. All H-1B visas should expire, the program should be ended, and visa holders should be sent back to their home countries.
It has nothing to do with keeping America competitive. Our major national competitors don’t bring in large numbers of foreign workers. https://t.co/X97E7Ed8sG
— Rohit Joy (@rohitjoycpa) May 15, 2025
Social media backlash
Soon, many Indians flocked to the comments section of his post and slammed him for his suggestions.
“Thanks, Rohit. We will welcome you to Kozhikode with open arms,” said one social media user. In response, Joy said that he is a US citizen.
Another asked, “Why do immigrants or progeny of immigrants want to pull up the ladder after they are comfortably ensconced in the countries of their choice?”
“The fallacy here is that anyone is entitled to a ladder. America ought to only put one down when it’s in the interest of American citizens,” Joy replied.
Yet another social media user said, “True. You should be deported too.”
A fourth expressed his disagreement: “Disagree with this 100 per cent”.
“Sir, when your family first landed on US soil, on which visa did they come?” asked a fifth.
Earlier, an Indian-American entrepreneur hailed bipartisan support to expand 2024 pilot program. “I’m thrilled to see bipartisan support for domestic visa renewal! The pilot program, launched based on my recommendation to the WHIAANHPI Commission & implemented by the State Dept, is a step forward. Secretary Marco Rubio, domestic visa renewal is the right move. Happy to share details!” he wrote on X.