Y Combinator's Ankit Gupta faces backlash over H-1B comments

Y Combinator General Partner Ankit Gupta is facing criticism online after arguing that prioritizing American workers in hiring amounts to a form of diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. The comments have drawn attention from critics of the H-1B visa program, including Nalin Haley, the son of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Gupta, a general partner at Y Combinator, made the remarks in response to Vice President JD Vance, who has advocated for companies to prioritize American workers in hiring.

In his response, Gupta described it as “DEI” to “prop up” Americans as a “preferred group.” The comments quickly became part of a broader debate over whether companies should be free to recruit talent globally or give preference to American workers for jobs based in the United States. Gupta’s X account has since been set to private.