Nikki Haley’s son Nalin says end H-1B visas, stop immigration: ‘Americans deserve jobs first’

(FILES) Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) with son Nalin Haley (L) and daughter Rena Haley (C).

In a striking departure from his mother’s long-standing support for merit-based immigration, Nalin Haley, son of former US ambassador to the United Nations and Republican leader Nikki Haley, has called for an end to both H-1B visas and legal immigration. The 24-year-old argued that the United States must prioritise its own citizens amid what he described as a struggling job market and an unaffordable economy for young Americans.

Speaking to the London-based news outlet UnHerd, Nalin said the federal government should “end H-1B visas” and “stop legal immigration altogether,” insisting that foreign workers are taking employment opportunities away from qualified Americans. “My friend group, all graduated, great degrees from great schools, it's been a year and a half, and not one of them have a job,” he told UnHerd.

Nalin’s stance sharply contrasts with that of his mother, Nikki Haley, who has repeatedly defended legal and merit-based immigration as essential to the American story. Nikki, the daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, has often cited her own family’s journey to highlight the role of legal migration in strengthening the US economy.

Nalin’s comments have surprised observers across the political spectrum, given Nikki’s pro-business and globally oriented worldview. She has long argued that immigration should be reformed but not restricted, maintaining that legal pathways benefit both U.S. innovation and its international reputation.

In the same interview, Nalin also made headlines for calling for British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan to be expelled from the United States. “No, I quite literally mean that. I'm often sarcastic, but not in this case. I mean, he hates America. If you hate America, you shouldn't be in America. Everyone wants to make it so complicated. That's the thing with the past generation. They always talk about the rules, regulations, process. No, it's simple. If you don't like America, get out,” UnHerd quoted him as saying.

Hasan, who has Indian roots and whose parents migrated to the UK from Hyderabad, has clashed with Nalin on social media over immigration policies under the Trump administration. Hasan, founder of the independent media company Zeteo, has been a vocal critic of U.S. conservative immigration stances.

Nalin’s criticism extended beyond illegal immigration, as he urged a full suspension of all immigration and even US foreign aid. He argued that government funds should instead be used to improve conditions for Americans struggling with unemployment, rising living costs, and the housing crisis.

“I’m angry at that (immigrants getting jobs in the US), because I’m having to try and help my friends get jobs when their parents got jobs immediately, not just after graduating from college, but out of high school,” he said.

Responding to fellow Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who recently called on the GOP to move away from identity politics, Nalin dismissed the idea and instead doubled down on his opposition to foreign employment programs. “End H-1B visas,” he said, referring to the work program heavily utilised by US technology firms to hire skilled professionals, over 70 percent of whom are Indian nationals.

Nalin also voiced frustration over rising living costs and the housing market that he said has priced out his generation. “My parents bought their first house for $90,000. I mean, that house is probably now worth $400,000,” he said. “How can we compete?”

He linked these economic challenges to what he views as excessive immigration, arguing that curbing both legal and illegal migration would help stabilize the job market and make housing more affordable for Americans.

Nalin Haley’s remarks come at a politically sensitive time, as debates over border security, foreign workers, and economic inequality dominate US politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His comments highlight a growing divide within the Republican Party between traditional pro-business conservatives like Nikki Haley and populist voices pushing for protectionist immigration policies.