Prominent Indian entrepreneur and founder of Shaadi.com, Anupam Mittal, has sharply criticised current US immigration policies, particularly those affecting international students. In a recent LinkedIn post that has garnered significant attention, Mittal lambasted what he perceives as a detrimental shift, warning that it could undermine America’s economic and innovative leadership.
LinkedIn post of Anupam Mittal
Mittal’s post, which quickly went viral, opened with a sarcastic jab at President Donald Trump, suggesting, “He probably didn’t get into Harvard University.” He then immediately pivoted to the core of his argument: the critical role international students play in the US economy.
“Now international students, the ones who bring $44B to the U.S. economy, create 378K+ jobs, and lead 80% of unicorns — are the villains?” Mittal questioned, highlighting the substantial financial and innovative contributions of this demographic.
Drawing on his own experience, Mittal shared, “I studied in Boston College on a full scholarship. I built companies because I was allowed to question, debate, belong.” He asserted that the current stance is counterproductive to national growth, stating, “If you want to make America great again, maybe stop pushing out the people who actually helped build it.”
He dismissed the current approach as lacking any sound economic or strategic basis, concluding, “This isn’t policy. It’s ego. And it’s bad math.”
Mittal also issued a stark warning, emphasising the resilience and adaptability of immigrants. “And trust me, we immigrants? We know how to pivot just as I did & moved back to India,” he wrote, suggesting that restrictive policies could lead global talent to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Mittal’s comments come at a time of heightened debate around immigration and its impact on the US economy and innovation landscape, resonating with many in the global technology and business communities.