An old video of American physicist Michio Kaku has resurfaced online amid renewed debates over US President Donald Trump’s recent hike in H-1B visa fees to $100,000. The sharp increase in fees aims to discourage immigration, a move critics say could damage the US science and technology sectors.
Trump’s policy change comes amid pressure from far-right groups and is viewed as part of a crackdown on immigrants. The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialised roles and is widely used by tech giants like Amazon and Google. Many experts warn this could lead to a talent drain as foreign scientists and engineers seek opportunities elsewhere.
Michio Kaku’s warning on the H-1B visa
In the video, which dates from before Trump’s presidency, Kaku called the H-1B visa the “genius visa” and described it as “America’s secret weapon.” He said, “Without the H-1B, the scientific establishment of this country would collapse. Forget about Google, forget about Silicon Valley . There would be no Silicon Valley without the H-1B.” This warning has gained fresh attention as the US faces rising competition from countries like China and India.
Kaku further explained that foreign-born scientists are not only vital for innovation but also create entire industries. “You realise that in the United States, 50 per cent of all PhD candidates are foreign-born. At my system, one of the biggest in the United States, 100 per cent of the PhD candidates are foreign-born,” he said, as quoted by the relevant source.
Impact on US innovation and industry
Kaku warned that restricting the H-1B visa would lead to a decline in US scientific leadership. “The United States is a magnet sucking up all the brains of the world. But now the brains are going back. They’re going back to China, they’re going back to India,” he added. According to Kaku, the emergence of Silicon Valley rivals in these countries is a direct result of this shift.
More than a decade after his initial warning, Kaku’s predictions seem to be unfolding. Many scientists and scholars are reportedly leaving the US for countries such as Canada and China, seeking better opportunities amid the visa crackdown and anti-immigrant policies.
H-1B visa controversy
For years, the H-1B programme has faced criticism from anti-immigrant groups in the US. They argue that it takes jobs away from American workers. However, Kaku countered this view by saying that H-1B visa holders perform advanced work that few Americans can do. “Instead of taking away jobs, they create jobs and drive entire industries,” he said.
The H-1B visa remains a critical element in maintaining the US’s global leadership in science and technology. Kaku’s video, now going viral on social media, reinforces the message that limiting this programme could have serious consequences for the US economy and innovation landscape.
Trump’s policy change comes amid pressure from far-right groups and is viewed as part of a crackdown on immigrants. The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialised roles and is widely used by tech giants like Amazon and Google. Many experts warn this could lead to a talent drain as foreign scientists and engineers seek opportunities elsewhere.
Michio Kaku’s warning on the H-1B visa
In the video, which dates from before Trump’s presidency, Kaku called the H-1B visa the “genius visa” and described it as “America’s secret weapon.” He said, “Without the H-1B, the scientific establishment of this country would collapse. Forget about Google, forget about Silicon Valley . There would be no Silicon Valley without the H-1B.” This warning has gained fresh attention as the US faces rising competition from countries like China and India.
Kaku further explained that foreign-born scientists are not only vital for innovation but also create entire industries. “You realise that in the United States, 50 per cent of all PhD candidates are foreign-born. At my system, one of the biggest in the United States, 100 per cent of the PhD candidates are foreign-born,” he said, as quoted by the relevant source.
Impact on US innovation and industry
Kaku warned that restricting the H-1B visa would lead to a decline in US scientific leadership. “The United States is a magnet sucking up all the brains of the world. But now the brains are going back. They’re going back to China, they’re going back to India,” he added. According to Kaku, the emergence of Silicon Valley rivals in these countries is a direct result of this shift.
More than a decade after his initial warning, Kaku’s predictions seem to be unfolding. Many scientists and scholars are reportedly leaving the US for countries such as Canada and China, seeking better opportunities amid the visa crackdown and anti-immigrant policies.
H-1B visa controversy
For years, the H-1B programme has faced criticism from anti-immigrant groups in the US. They argue that it takes jobs away from American workers. However, Kaku countered this view by saying that H-1B visa holders perform advanced work that few Americans can do. “Instead of taking away jobs, they create jobs and drive entire industries,” he said.
The H-1B visa remains a critical element in maintaining the US’s global leadership in science and technology. Kaku’s video, now going viral on social media, reinforces the message that limiting this programme could have serious consequences for the US economy and innovation landscape.
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