Elon Musk recently voiced his support for Aravind Srinivas, an Indian-origin CEO based in San Francisco, in a discussion about the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. Srinivas, the founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, turned to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his frustration about the prolonged wait he has faced in his green card application process. After waiting over three years to secure U.S. citizenship, Srinivas posted a query seeking advice from his followers, asking if he should move forward with applying for a green card despite the challenges.
Musk replied with a single, direct response: "Yes." Although brief, Musk's reply resonated widely, generating a wave of engagement on the platform as users reacted with enthusiasm. Many appreciated Musk’s succinct yet encouraging stance on a topic that affects thousands of immigrants in the U.S. Srinivas responded to Musk’s endorsement with a red heart emoji and folded hands, signaling his gratitude for the support.
This exchange wasn’t the first instance of Musk addressing the U.S. immigration system or supporting Srinivas. Just days earlier, Musk had reacted to another post by Srinivas, where he criticized the convoluted and restrictive immigration process, particularly for highly skilled professionals seeking opportunities in the U.S. Musk, who has been vocal about his frustrations with the system, acknowledged the barriers talented individuals face when trying to immigrate legally, describing the process as unnecessarily complicated and in need of reform.
Srinivas is no stranger to the challenges of building a career in a foreign country. An alumnus of IIT Madras, one of India’s premier engineering institutes, he later worked as a research scientist at OpenAI, gaining recognition in the AI field. Srinivas also had stints at leading tech giants such as Google and DeepMind, where he developed a strong reputation for innovation. In 2022, he founded Perplexity AI, an AI-powered answer engine designed to provide accurate, contextual information in response to user queries. The company quickly gained traction, attracting investment from notable figures, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Srinivas’ story is emblematic of the broader immigrant experience in the U.S. Many skilled professionals encounter significant hurdles despite contributing substantially to the economy and technological advancements. His frustration reflects a common sentiment among immigrants navigating an opaque and often slow-moving system that fails to recognize and retain global talent effectively.
Musk’s public support for Srinivas highlights a broader conversation about the necessity of immigration reform in the United States. Musk, an immigrant himself, has frequently advocated for making it easier for highly skilled individuals to live and work in the country, emphasizing the economic and innovative benefits they bring. By lending his voice to Srinivas’ concerns, Musk has once again drawn attention to a pressing issue that impacts the lives and aspirations of countless professionals.
The exchange also underscores the growing recognition of figures like Srinivas, whose work in the AI space is shaping the future of technology. Perplexity AI, under his leadership, continues to innovate, offering a glimpse of what skilled immigrants can achieve when given the opportunity to thrive. As discussions around immigration reform persist, stories like Srinivas’ serve as powerful reminders of the untapped potential within global talent pools and the importance of policies that foster inclusion and opportunity.
