Washington, D.C. — In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his full support for the H-1B visa program, aligning himself with billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk amidst a heated debate over immigration and foreign workers in the tech industry.
Trump’s endorsement came after Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, took to social media late Friday, vowing to go to “war” to defend the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” Trump told The New York Post on Saturday.
Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from South Africa, once held an H-1B visa himself. His company Tesla has been a significant beneficiary of the program, obtaining 724 H-1B visas this year alone. The program, which typically grants visas for three-year periods, is vital for foreign professionals seeking opportunities in the United States, many of whom hail from Asian countries.
The debate intensified earlier this week when far-right activists criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American venture capitalist, as an adviser on artificial intelligence. They argued that Krishnan’s influence could impact the administration’s immigration policies. In response, Musk and other tech leaders have drawn a clear distinction between legal immigration, which they support, and illegal immigration.
On Friday, Steve Bannon, a longtime confidante of Trump, criticized “big tech oligarchs” for their support of the H-1B program, framing immigration as a threat to Western civilization. This stance has amplified divisions within Trump’s supporter base, particularly among immigration hard-liners who advocate for the program’s elimination.
The H-1B visa program has been a cornerstone for U.S. companies seeking global talent, especially in the technology sector. Many Asian professionals, including those from India and China, have contributed significantly to innovation and development within American firms. Trump’s renewed support may signal a shift in his immigration policy, which previously aimed to restrict such visas to protect American jobs.
As the debate continues, businesses and professionals worldwide are closely watching the unfolding policies that will shape the future of immigration and the global workforce. Trump’s latest statements suggest a potential balancing act between safeguarding domestic employment and embracing the international talent critical to the tech industry’s growth.
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Trump sides with Elon Musk in H-1B visa program, triggering debate
cgtn.com
