President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the H-1B visa program, aligning with tech magnate Elon Musk in a move that marks a significant shift in his immigration policy stance. This endorsement has heightened divisions within Trump’s MAGA coalition, creating a rift between his traditional base and his growing alignment with techno-libertarian billionaires.
In an interview with the New York Post on Saturday, Trump stated, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.”
He added, “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.”
This position stands in stark contrast to Trump’s 2016 campaign rhetoric, during which he promised to dismantle the program. Back then, he criticized it as a mechanism for replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor and pledged to end “rampant, widespread H-1B abuse.” Although his administration tightened certain rules during his first term, the program largely remained intact.
Tech industry leaders, including Musk, have been vocal advocates for the visa program. On Friday, Musk defended it on X, crediting H-1B visas for helping build companies like SpaceX and Tesla, which he claimed have “made America strong.”
“I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” Musk wrote, emphasizing that America’s status as a global leader depends on attracting top engineering talent. “America rose to greatness because it was a meritocracy,” he added.
Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), echoed Musk’s sentiments. In a detailed X post, he argued that U.S. immigration policy should focus on recruiting “the very best of the best.” He criticized American culture for “venerating mediocrity” and advocated reforms to better attract high-skilled foreign workers.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff also weighed in, suggesting that foreign students earning degrees in the U.S. should automatically receive green cards. “Can we staple a US green card to every degree earned at an American university?” he proposed.
Trump’s support for H-1B visas has deepened tensions between his traditional MAGA base and a rising techno-libertarian faction led by Musk and other tech leaders. Critics within his orbit, such as activist Laura Loomer and former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, have expressed concerns over the program. Loomer specifically criticized the “replacement of American tech workers by Indian immigrants.”
Gaetz also questioned the influence of tech leaders on immigration policy, stating, “When Republicans embraced them, we did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy.”
Trump Backs H-1B Visas Advocated by Elon Musk Amid MAGA-DOGE Tensions
President-elect Donald Trump has voiced support for the H-1B visa program, aligning with tech magnate Elon Musk in a move that marks a significant shift in his immigration policy stance. This endorsement has heightened divisions within Trump’s MAGA coalition, creating a rift between his traditional base and his growing alignment with techno-libertarian billionaires.
In an interview with the New York Post on Saturday, Trump stated, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.”
He added, “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.”
This position stands in stark contrast to Trump’s 2016 campaign rhetoric, during which he promised to dismantle the program. Back then, he criticized it as a mechanism for replacing American workers with cheaper foreign labor and pledged to end “rampant, widespread H-1B abuse.” Although his administration tightened certain rules during his first term, the program largely remained intact.
Tech industry leaders, including Musk, have been vocal advocates for the visa program. On Friday, Musk defended it on X, crediting H-1B visas for helping build companies like SpaceX and Tesla, which he claimed have “made America strong.”
“I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” Musk wrote, emphasizing that America’s status as a global leader depends on attracting top engineering talent. “America rose to greatness because it was a meritocracy,” he added.
Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), echoed Musk’s sentiments. In a detailed X post, he argued that U.S. immigration policy should focus on recruiting “the very best of the best.” He criticized American culture for “venerating mediocrity” and advocated reforms to better attract high-skilled foreign workers.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff also weighed in, suggesting that foreign students earning degrees in the U.S. should automatically receive green cards. “Can we staple a US green card to every degree earned at an American university?” he proposed.
Trump’s support for H-1B visas has deepened tensions between his traditional MAGA base and a rising techno-libertarian faction led by Musk and other tech leaders. Critics within his orbit, such as activist Laura Loomer and former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, have expressed concerns over the program. Loomer specifically criticized the “replacement of American tech workers by Indian immigrants.”
Gaetz also questioned the influence of tech leaders on immigration policy, stating, “When Republicans embraced them, we did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy.”
The debate intensified after Trump appointed Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American venture capitalist, as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence. Some MAGA supporters opposed the decision, sparking further discord.
David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto advisor, defended Krishnan’s appointment, while Musk denounced critics as “hateful, unrepentant racists” who he claimed could “be the downfall of the Republican Party.”
Trump’s evolving stance on immigration has left many uncertain about his plans for a second term. While his endorsement of H-1B visas aligns with Musk’s vision, immigration lawyers have cautioned foreign tech workers about potential uncertainties and advised those on visas to return to the U.S. before Trump assumes office.
The debate intensified after Trump appointed Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American venture capitalist, as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence. Some MAGA supporters opposed the decision, sparking further discord.
David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto advisor, defended Krishnan’s appointment, while Musk denounced critics as “hateful, unrepentant racists” who he claimed could “be the downfall of the Republican Party.”
Trump’s evolving stance on immigration has left many uncertain about his plans for a second term. While his endorsement of H-1B visas aligns with Musk’s vision, immigration lawyers have cautioned foreign tech workers about potential uncertainties and advised those on visas to return to the U.S. before Trump assumes office.
