Rekhi’s remarks come amid growing concern among Indian students and professionals over tighter visa rules and immigration uncertainties, highlighting the broader debate on talent mobility in an increasingly competitive global economy
Veteran Indian-American entrepreneur and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) co-founder Kanwal Rekhi has strongly criticised recent moves by US President Donald Trump to tighten immigration policies, particularly those affecting skilled professionals from India, describing the approach as “foolish” though legally within America’s rights.
Speaking to Times of India during his visit to Telangana, Rekhi said that while every sovereign nation has the authority to decide who it allows to enter, restricting the flow of global talent could prove damaging to the United States in the long run. “Nobody has a birthright to go to America, and if the US wants to shut down immigration, it is their right. But what they are doing is foolish,” he remarked, adding that such decisions often stem from domestic political pressures.
Rekhi noted that there is currently a strong sentiment within sections of American society to prioritise local jobs and university seats. However, he expressed confidence that democratic systems are inherently self-correcting.
“In a democracy, the ultimate retribution comes from voters. Americans are a free people, and they will decide their future when elections come around. That’s the beauty of democracy,” he said, referring to the upcoming mid-term elections
The octogenarian entrepreneur, who immigrated to the US in the 1960s and went on to become a leading figure in Silicon Valley, was in India for the inauguration of the Kanwal Rekhi Rural Entrepreneurship and Startup Centre (KREST) in Nizamabad. The centre aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in rural regions.
Despite acknowledging rising anti-immigrant rhetoric from sections of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, Rekhi maintained that the US economy and innovation ecosystem remain deeply dependent on Indian professionals. He pointed out that America’s strategic rivalry with China further underscores the importance of skilled Indian talent. “They will realise very quickly—if they haven’t already—that in this cold war with China, they need Indians on their side,” he said.
At the same time, Rekhi emphasised that such realisations must come from within the US. “We cannot tell another country how to run itself, just as India would not accept outside interference,” he added.
