Indian-origin CEO's green card query sparks viral response from Elon Musk

In a surprising yet minimalistic fashion, Elon Musk has weighed in on a green card query posed by Aravind Srinivas, the Indian-origin CEO of Perplexity AI. Srinivas, who resides in San Francisco, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his dilemma about applying for a US green card after years of waiting for citizenship. Musk’s one-word response, “Yes,” stirred a wave of reactions on the platform.

A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, grants holders the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States. For Srinivas, the wait has been long and the system daunting, prompting him to ask his followers whether pursuing the green card was the right move. The query resonated deeply across the social media landscape, given the significant struggles of immigrants navigating the US legal framework.

Srinivas’ reaction to Musk’s succinct reply was heartfelt, marked by a red heart emoji and folded hands. The interaction amplified the ongoing conversation about the challenges faced by skilled professionals, especially those contributing significantly to fields like AI and technology, who face hurdles in securing permanent residency in the US.

Musk has not shied away from criticizing the US immigration system. Just days before his response to Srinivas, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO commented on the irony of a system that makes it harder for Nobel laureates and intellectuals to immigrate than it does for individuals with dubious intentions. Musk’s sentiments echo frustrations felt by many navigating the intricate US immigration maze.

Aravind Srinivas, an IIT Madras alumnus and former research scientist at OpenAI, launched Perplexity AI in 2022. The company, which provides a free AI-powered answer engine, has attracted significant attention, including investments from notable names like Jeff Bezos. Srinivas’ achievements underscore the critical role of immigrants in advancing innovation in the US.

This exchange highlights broader systemic issues, calling into question the barriers talented professionals face when contributing to the US economy. Srinivas’ viral post, coupled with Musk’s endorsement, has reignited debates about reforming the immigration system to better accommodate intellectual capital.