Indian-Born Republican Nirav Sheth Backs Microsoft Green Card Sponsorship Suspension, Proposes Separate Tech Worker Quota

In an interview ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Sheth expressed support for the decisions taken by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance regarding Microsoft’s green card sponsorship.

Sheth argued that third-party recruitment agencies were exploiting the immigration system, leaving some qualified professionals waiting 10 to 15 years for permanent residency while others allegedly used loopholes to obtain green cards more quickly.

“Immigration fraud is the major concern right now,” he said, describing the publicly known issues as only part of a larger problem.

When asked whether companies such as Microsoft, Adobe or Infosys were involved in fraudulent practices, Sheth declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation. He said he did not want to make statements that could affect scrutiny of the companies or the policies involved.

Despite backing the suspension, Sheth said the green card backlog affecting Indian technology professionals required a comprehensive overhaul. He indicated that removing or changing the per-country cap could be a viable option.

“We must not punish the hardworking legal professionals who play by every rule,” he said, arguing that country-specific limits leave skilled workers and their families in prolonged immigration uncertainty.

Sheth proposed establishing a separate green card quota for highly skilled professionals directly employed by major technology companies, including Microsoft, Adobe and Meta, rather than workers hired through third-party contractors. He suggested that particular consideration should be given to professionals who have already spent five to 10 years or longer in the United States.

If elected, he said he would advocate for employers to deal directly with the Department of Homeland Security instead of relying on intermediary recruitment agencies.

Sheth was candid about his electoral prospects, acknowledging that his chances of defeating Jayapal remained limited. After securing 10.6 per cent of the vote in the August primary, he said he hoped to increase his share to around 20 per cent.

He described his campaign as a David-versus-Goliath contest and said he intended to continue his political efforts, including running again in two years.

Jayapal, who was born in Chennai, secured approximately 84 per cent of the primary vote. While some Indian Americans have accused her of being anti-India, Sheth said he would not use that description, instead criticising her political positions and claiming they were contrary to American interests.

Sheth also questioned Jayapal’s record on issues affecting Indian Americans, saying he had not heard of significant initiatives by her specifically benefiting the community. He cited her social media post concerning the H-1B visa crackdown involving Microsoft as an example of her engagement with immigration-related issues.

The Republican candidate claimed he had encountered Indian voters, particularly Punjabi and Gujarati residents in Kent, who he believed were increasingly receptive to Republican candidates. These remarks reflected his assessment of conversations during the campaign rather than independently verified voting trends.

Sheth also accused Jayapal of prioritising President Trump and national political debates over local concerns in Seattle, including homelessness, drug overdose deaths, crime and challenges facing small businesses.

Drawing on his own experience as a business owner, he said he closed his Italian restaurant last year following repeated break-ins and other difficulties. He also criticised Washington state's Climate Commitment Act, claiming it added an extra $1.27 in charges per gallon of petrol.

Born and raised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Sheth moved to the United States as a student in 2008. He studied in Orlando and at the University of Massachusetts before joining the US Marine Corps in 2011, a period he said led to his acquiring American citizenship.

He subsequently worked as a police officer in Washington state but resigned after experiencing hearing loss in one ear. He now operates five businesses, including automobile repair centres and a credit card processing company.

Assessing Trump's first two years of his second presidential term, Sheth described the US economy as thriving, while identifying fuel prices and the war with Iran as areas of concern.

On US-India relations, he said it remained to be seen how bilateral ties would develop.