**Why Trump’s Photo with the US Physics Olympiad Team Is Causing a Furore**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 23, 2025 | 08:00 PM*
A recent photograph of US President Donald Trump posing with the 2025 US Physics Olympiad team has ignited a heated debate surrounding immigration and meritocracy in the United States.
The image, shared by Trump’s assistant Michael Kratsios on X, features Trump alongside five immigrant-origin students who achieved an extraordinary feat by winning five gold medals at the International Physics Olympiad held in July. This marked the team’s greatest performance in its history.
### The Controversy: Immigration Policy Backlash
This photo has drawn significant attention to Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his administration’s decision to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applicants. Critics argue that such policies risk undermining the contributions of highly talented individuals who play a vital role in American scientific and technological progress.
Social media users quickly highlighted the apparent contradiction between celebrating immigrant success and tightening immigration controls. One commenter noted, “This picture alone should be enough to explain why the H-1B program is important for the US.” Another pointed out the diverse origins of the team members: “LOL! Zero ‘ethnic white Americans’ on the physics team. One Russian, one Indian, and the rest Chinese—all non-white, immigrants from the three most hated countries in this country.”
### Meet the Team: Talent from Diverse Backgrounds
The five-member US Physics Olympiad team included Agastya Goel, Allen Li, Joshua Wang, Feodor Yevtushenko, and Brian Zhang. Among them, Agastya Goel is of Indian origin. His father is a Harvard professor, and Agastya studies at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California.
Beyond his remarkable achievements in physics, Goel is actively involved in school activities such as tennis and choir, reflecting a well-rounded student profile.
### Defense of the H-1B Visa Policy
In response to the criticism, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf have defended Trump’s H-1B visa policy.
Lutnick explained that the new measures aim to protect American jobs by discouraging companies from relying heavily on foreign workers for training purposes. Scharf added that only the most skilled foreign applicants, those who cannot be readily replaced by American workers, would be allowed entry under the updated guidelines.
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The photo of President Trump celebrating the success of immigrant students underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between immigration policy and America’s commitment to nurturing global talent. As debates continue, the achievements of these young scientists stand as a testament to the value of diversity and opportunity.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-s-pic-with-physics-olympiad-team-sparks-debate-on-immigration/story
