In his first remarks on a topic that has split his supporters this week, President-elect Donald Trump defended the visa program that permits highly talented foreign workers to immigrate to the United States on Saturday.
Trump said he supports H-1B visas, which are given to thousands of foreign workers who come to the US to work in specialized industries, in an interview with The New York Post.
Trump has previously attacked the program and restricted access to foreign worker permits during his first term. Nonetheless, Trump stated during the 2024 campaign that he would be open to granting legal status to certain foreign-born workers who completed an American university.
Visas have always appealed to me. I’ve always been in favor of visas. Trump told The New York Post on Saturday that’s why we have them.
My properties have several H-1B visas. I’ve had faith in H-1B for a long time. I’ve made use of it multiple times. “It’s a great program,” he continued.
Since businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, whom Trump appointed to head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, defended the foreign worker visa program, drawing harsh criticism from MAGA supporters who want to restrict immigration, Trump has not addressed the issue publicly until now.
In social media tweets throughout the week, Musk has vehemently defended H-1B visas, highlighting their significance in enabling the expansion of IT firms, including his own. In a statement on Friday, Musk declared that he would go to battle to defend H-1B visas.
The Silicon Valley millionaire added, “H1B is the reason I’m in America with so many important people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that made America strong.” I shall wage war on this matter, which is beyond your comprehension.
Musk arrived in the US as a foreign student and then worked on an H-1B visa. He was born in South Africa and is a citizen of Canada through his mother.
Trump’s anti-immigrant alliance has strongly opposed Musk and Ramaswamy’s backing for foreign worker permits.
Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, joined a vociferous group of Trump supporters, including Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and far-right activist Laura Loomer, in calling H-1B visas a scam on his podcast on Saturday.
Each year, 65,000 highly skilled individuals are permitted to enter the country under the H-1B visa program to work in particular occupations; an extra 20,000 visas are given to workers who have completed an advanced degree in the country.
According to economists, the program helps US businesses expand and stay competitive, which increases the number of employment in the country.
As part of his campaign to get American businesses to recruit American workers rather than foreign ones, Trump has previously opposed the H-1B visa program.
Trump charged US corporations with intentionally utilizing H-1B visas to replace American labor at lower wages during his 2016 presidential campaign.
As part of his administration’s efforts to curb legal immigration and adapt to the shifting economic conditions brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic, Trump repeatedly limited availability to H-1B visas in 2020.
Trump’s endorsement of Musk is just one more instance of the president-elect growing closer to the tech tycoon. The president-elect asked Musk in a private social media post on Friday when he would be returning to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.