An Indian-origin tech CEO has sparked widespread online debate after offering his perspective on the ongoing H-1B visa delays that have left many skilled professionals stranded in India.
Vijay Thirumalai, a San Francisco-based entrepreneur, addressed the disruption in the H-1B visa process, which has left numerous Indians stuck in their home country after traveling back for routine visa stamping appointments.
These delays stem from new US consular regulations introduced in mid-December 2025 that require enhanced social media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.
The new screening rules have significantly reduced appointment availability, pushing interview dates well into 2026 or beyond and eliminating many third-country processing options.
What did Thirumalai say?
In his post on X, Thirumalai expressed empathy for those affected, describing the sudden extension of what was meant to be a short trip home into months of uncertainty as “brutal”.
“People who mock the concept of being stranded, have no idea what is going through. They have their homes, their jobs, kids school and their entire lives back in US, what was supposed to be a 2 week trip is now stretching to 3-4 months and maybe more, god knows, how long. I have only one advice, do all you can to get out of H1B quagmire asap,” he wrote.
“With the hostile political rhetoric & AI job losses, immigration is going to get only worse. Do all you can to get yourself a [Green Card]…Don’t listen to folks egging you to get to India, you have worked hard so far, to study here, get a job, have a base, invest 4-5 more years, get a Green card + passport to build the optionality for you & you have the best of all worlds,” he further wrote.
Every day, we have atleast 2-3 discovery calls with these H1B engineers who are stranded
— Vijay Thirumalai (@VijayT1609) December 23, 2025
People who mock the concept of being stranded, have no idea what is going thru
They have their homes, their jobs, kids school and their entire lives back in US, what was supposed to be a 2… https://t.co/zMSLrQeX6G
How did netizens react?
Reaction on social media was mixed and in some cases sharply critical. “I’m told by reliable sources that India is a rising superpower. There must be a lot of great opportunities for someplace on the rise like that. You should all go there and take advantage,” a user wrote on X.
“Our American college grads and laid off Americans are going a year+ without finding work. While I have empathy, our priority is our fellow Americans. The ‘get a GC + passport to build the optionality for you & you have the best of all worlds’ is not a reason for us to support having you in this country and taking jobs Americans,” another user wrote online.
The debate highlights the growing frustrations of skilled workers navigating the complexities of the American immigration system, particularly amid rising H-1B visa delays and tighter consular scrutiny.
