The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act opened doors for skilled Indian professionals to migrate to the U.S. This shift, coupled with the H-1B visa program and India's focus on technical education, led to a surge in Indian migration.
Indian immigrants have made significant contributions to the U.S. workforce, especially in technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Their impact is evident in major tech companies, the healthcare system, and successful startups across various sectors.
Factors and Impact of Post-1965 Skilled Migration from India to the United States
Factors for post-1965 Indian migration
- 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated national origins quota system that restricted immigration from non-European countries
- New legislation emphasized family reunification and skilled labor opening opportunities for Indian professionals to migrate
- H-1B visa program established allowing U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations (IT, engineering, mathematics, science)
- India's focus on technical education and growing demand for skilled professionals in the U.S. fostered increased migration
- Growth of India's IT sector and Y2K problem in late 1990s further increased demand for Indian IT professionals in the U.S.
Role of H-1B visa program
- Allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise
- Valid for up to six years with an initial three-year period and possible three-year extension
- Annual cap on the number of visas issued varies over the years
- Indian professionals consistently among top beneficiaries of H-1B visa program
- In 2019 fiscal year, Indian nationals received 71.7% of total H-1B visas issued
- Criticized for allegedly displacing American workers and suppressing wages leading to calls for reform
Contributions of Indian immigrants
- Significant contributions to U.S. workforce especially in technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship
- Technology sector
- Crucial role in development and growth of U.S. IT industry
- Instrumental in success of major tech companies (Google, Microsoft, Adobe)
- Founded numerous successful startups in Silicon Valley and beyond
- Healthcare sector
- Helped address shortage of medical personnel in the U.S.
- As of 2020, Indian-origin physicians accounted for around 5% of total U.S. physician workforce
- Nurses and other healthcare workers made significant contributions to U.S. healthcare system
- Entrepreneurship
- Demonstrated strong entrepreneurial spirit establishing successful businesses across various sectors
- Notable Indian-American entrepreneurs include Sundar Pichai (Alphabet and Google CEO), Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO), Indra Nooyi (former PepsiCo CEO)
- Indian-owned businesses created jobs and contributed to U.S. economic growth