President-elect Donald Trump recently expressed his support for the H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled foreign workers to immigrate to the US to fill specialized jobs. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump stated that he has always been a believer in the H-1B visas and has utilized them on multiple occasions, calling it a great program.
It is worth noting that while Trump's businesses have employed foreign workers through the H-2B program for temporary non-agricultural jobs, they have also utilized the H-1B program in the past. Data from the Department of Labor shows that Trump's companies have requested and received approval to hire over 2,100 foreign laborers since 2008, with about 70 of those positions being for high-skilled workers through the H-1B program.
Entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, have defended the H-1B visa program, emphasizing its importance for tech companies to grow their businesses. Musk, in particular, has been vocal in his support for H-1B visas, stating that he will 'go to war' to protect access to them.
However, Trump's alignment with Musk on the H-1B issue has faced criticism from anti-immigration supporters within his coalition. Former Trump aide Steve Bannon and other loyal supporters have denounced the H-1B visas, with Bannon referring to them as a 'scam' on his podcast.
The H-1B visa program allows 65,000 highly skilled workers to immigrate to the US annually, with an additional 20,000 visas granted to workers who have received advanced degrees in the US. Economists argue that the program helps US companies stay competitive and grow, ultimately creating more job opportunities in the country.
Trump's evolving stance on the H-1B visa program, from previous opposition to now expressing support, reflects the complexities of immigration policy and its impact on various sectors of the economy. His alignment with Musk signals a potential shift in his approach to immigration and labor issues as he prepares to take office.
