Jensen Huang says Trump's H-1B changes would've prevented his family from immigrating

Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, voiced strong concerns on Wednesday regarding the impact of former President Trump's immigration policies on families like his own. Huang emphasized that under the current H-1B visa fee structure, his family's immigration to the United States would have likely been unfeasible. In September, Trump announced a significant increase in the H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, which heavily relies on skilled foreign professionals, particularly from India and China. Huang, who immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan at the age of nine, expressed that his family would not have been able to pay such a hefty fee, thus hindering their chance for a better life in America. During an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Huang stated, "I don't think that my family would have been able to afford the $100,000, so the opportunity for my family and me to be here would not have been possible." He highlighted the essential role of immigration in realizing the American dream, noting that it allows individuals to build a future through hard work and talent. Huang revealed that Nvidia currently sponsors 1,400 H-1B visas and plans to continue covering these fees for its immigrant employees. He expressed hope for potential improvements to the policy that would allow for more opportunities in the future. Despite his family's situation, Huang believes that the changes will still enable the U.S. to attract top global talent. Other tech leaders, including Netflix's Reed Hastings, have also shown support for the fee increase, suggesting it could ensure that H-1B visas are reserved for high-value positions, thereby eliminating the lottery system and providing more certainty. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, echoed similar sentiments, advocating for a streamlined process to attract the brightest minds to the country. As the conversation around immigration policy continues, Huang’s remarks underscore the critical role that foreign talent plays in the innovation landscape of the tech industry.