Trump defends foreign worker visas, siding with Musk amid MAGA backlash
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President-elect Donald Trump recently defended the H-1B visa program, which allows highly skilled foreign workers to immigrate to the United States. This marked his first public comments on the issue in light of growing divisions within his supporter base, particularly in response to advocacy by tech moguls Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.
In an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, Trump reaffirmed his support for the H-1B visa program, which grants visas to foreign professionals in specialized fields. Trump explained, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” Despite previously restricting access to foreign worker visas during his first term, Trump signaled a more open stance during his 2024 campaign, even suggesting that some foreign-born workers graduating from U.S. universities could be offered legal status.
Trump, who has used the H-1B program for his businesses, 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.” However, the majority of foreign workers at Trump’s properties were brought in under the H-2B program, which allows temporary foreign workers to fill non-agricultural jobs such as those in landscaping and hospitality. Records from the Department of Labor show that Trump’s businesses requested approval for over 2,100 foreign laborers since 2008, with only around 70 positions filled through the H-1B visa. Most of these H-1B requests were made by Trump Model Management and Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York more than a decade ago, with the last H-1B worker hired by Trump Media & Technology Group in 2022.
Trump’s defense of the H-1B program comes amidst a public feud within his base, ignited by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom have strongly advocated for the program’s importance. Musk, in particular, has passionately defended H-1B visas on social media, emphasizing their critical role in allowing tech companies to grow and maintain global competitiveness. Musk, who himself came to the U.S. on an H-1B visa, argued, “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H-1B.” He even declared that he would “go to war” to protect the program.
This strong defense from Musk and Ramaswamy has faced substantial backlash from anti-immigration factions within Trump’s coalition. Prominent figures like former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and right-wing activists such as Matt Gaetz and Laura Loomer have criticized the H-1B program, calling it a “scam” and accusing it of undermining American workers by favoring cheaper foreign labor. Bannon, in particular, has argued that H-1B visas are exploited by U.S. companies to replace domestic workers with lower-paid foreign workers.
The H-1B visa program allows 65,000 foreign workers annually to fill specialized positions in the U.S. and offers an additional 20,000 spots for workers with advanced degrees from U.S. universities. Supporters, including economists, argue that it helps American companies remain competitive and grow, ultimately creating more jobs for U.S. workers.
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had criticized the H-1B program, accusing companies of using it to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign workers. In his administration’s later years, he further restricted access to H-1B visas, especially as part of broader efforts to reduce legal immigration in response to the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump’s recent remarks, aligning with Musk’s defense of foreign worker visas, also reflect his deepening ties to the tech mogul. Musk, who was born in South Africa and later obtained Canadian citizenship, moved to the U.S. on an H-1B visa as a foreign student. His support for the program stands in contrast to some of Trump’s earlier stances but highlights the tensions between economic pragmatism in the tech sector and the anti-immigration sentiments within parts of Trump’s political base. The controversy around this issue is set to continue as Trump prepares for the 2024 election, with his relationship with figures like Musk potentially playing a significant role in shaping his policy outlook.
Trump’s comments also hint at an evolving dynamic with Musk. On Friday, Trump posted on social media a private message asking Musk when he plans to visit Mar-a-Lago again, signaling a growing connection between the two figures. As the debate over immigration and foreign worker visas intensifies, it remains to be seen how this issue will influence both Trump’s campaign and his relationship with his supporters.
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