NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Former President Donald Trump voiced support for the H-1B visa program, a temporary work visa that lets U.S. companies hire foreign workers, a position shared with Elon Musk in favor of high-skilled immigration. At an event recently in Florida, Trump said he employs hundreds of H-1B visa holders throughout his properties, noting how they are vital to maintaining American businesses.
“I have many H-1B visas on my properties,” Trump said. “We need skilled workers, and they help our economy grow. I’ve always believed that America should attract the best and brightest.”
Billionaire CEOs of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk has been advocating the cause for the opening up of new immigration channels to skilled people, particularly from tech and engineering fields, for some time. This makes the point made by Elon Musk with regards to supporting the H-1B visa programme in regard to the participation of foreign talent in generating innovations in the US take a curious turn under Trump’s recent statement on the subject.
The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to hire foreign employees for specialty occupations that may require advanced technical or academic expertise. The program has been useful in staffing jobs in industries such as technology while also becoming a political lightning rod over concerns the program creates job displacement in the United States for U.S. workers.
Trump’s stance on H-1B visas has changed over time. During his presidency, he took steps to tighten immigration policies, especially by limiting the number of visas available to protect American workers. However, his recent comments suggest a shift toward a more balanced view, pointing out the importance of skilled immigration in supporting U.S. economic growth.
“Innovation does not occur in isolation,” said Trump. “Our businesses, including my own, thrive when we bring in talent from around the world. We want the best people working here.”
Musk, who has frequently spoken about the need for immigration reform, has recently restated his call for expansion of the H-1B program as vital for U.S. competitiveness in the global economy. “We need the best talent from around the world to ensure America remains ahead in innovation and technology,” Musk wrote on social media.
It is perhaps too early to tell, but Trump’s endorsement of Musk’s view could signal a larger shift in the way the Republican Party approaches immigration ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The GOP candidates have taken a hard line on immigration, but his remarks may indicate that he intends to move towards appeasing business leaders and sectors that are highly reliant on high-skilled foreign workers.
Critics, however, argue that the H-1B visa program needs to be reformed so American workers are placed first. Labor groups have long said that the program can be exploited by companies to undercut wages and displace domestic workers.
Trump’s comments suggest he believes there is space for both protecting American jobs and welcoming foreign talent.
