Dmitry Shevelenko, the Chief Business Officer of Perplexity AI, has publicly praised the company's CEO, Aravind Srinivas, for creating substantial job opportunities, emphasizing the positive role of immigrant entrepreneurship during contentious immigration debates. His heartfelt acknowledgement came amid rising tensions surrounding visa policies and the contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy, particularly skilled professionals.
Shevelenko, who identified himself as American and employed thanks to the initiatives of an immigrant, tweeted, "I’m an American who is gainfully employed because an Indian immigrant on a visa founded a company in the US. Thx @AravSrinivas for creating 100+ American jobs." This statement resonates deeply within the current social climate, where discussions about immigration have intensified, especially following the appointment of Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan as the Senior White House Policy Advisor for AI by President-elect Donald Trump.
Krishnan's appointment has drawn scrutiny from critics, including far-right activist Laura Loomer, who expressed concerns over the potential for increased immigration due to Krishnan's influence. Loomer and others questioned either directly or indirectly whether someone of his background could prioritize American interests. "Our country was built by white Europeans, actually. Not third-world invaders from India," Loomer posted, echoing sentiments from parts of the political spectrum worried about job security for American citizens.
Supporting the narrative of immigrant contributions, Shevelenko’s remarks not only highlighted the employment opportunities created by Srinivas but also served as pushback against the negativity surrounding immigrants in the tech industry. Srinivas, born in Chennai, graduated from IIT Madras and has worked at prominent organizations like OpenAI before founding Perplexity AI with his co-founders Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho.
Despite his achievements and living legally in the U.S. for several years, Srinivas remains on a visa, which has sparked discussions about reforming the immigration system to facilitate the retention of top talent. This concern has been echoed by notable figures such as Elon Musk, who recently showed support for Srinivas, advocating for him to receive permanent residency.
The social media reaction to Shevelenko’s acknowledgment was mixed. While some users commended him for recognizing Srinivas's contributions, others criticized his comments, questioning why the company was not established in India instead. One user noted, "Let builders build in America. Where you are born doesn’t matter, where you choose to build does. We need to keep attracting the top talent to continue to grow our economy."
Another emphasized the losses America might face due to restrictive immigration policies, asserting, "It will be safe to assume there are hundreds, if not thousands, of founders like Aravind who could have contributed because of skewed immigration policies."
The dialogue surrounding immigration covers not just policies but also personal stories like those of Shevelenko and Srinivas, which highlight the substantial impact immigrant entrepreneurs have had on job creation and technological innovation within the United States. By fostering environments where talent from diverse backgrounds is celebrated, the U.S. maintains its status as a leader on the global stage, particularly in sectors like technology and AI.
Shevelenko's acknowledgment stands as both recognition and advocacy for the role of immigrants within the American workforce. His post, made during these heated discussions, serves to remind many of the lessons learned within the country’s founding values. Rising beyond divisions, his sentiments advocate for the strength brought by diversity and the shared goals of progress and innovation.
While the national narrative is often pulled by the threads of division, the contributions of leaders like Srinivas and voices like Shevelenko challenge this narrative at its core. They provide compelling evidence of the high stakes involved when addressing immigration and the necessity of retaining skilled individuals who contribute to the economy and cultural fabric of the U.S.
