Trump Backs H-1B Visas, Aligning with Musk on Immigration

In a significant shift, President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind H-1B visas, aligning with tech mogul Elon Musk in a contentious debate over the program that allows skilled foreign workers to temporarily work in the United States. This move highlights a growing rift within Trump's coalition ahead of his January inauguration.

Trump's Endorsement of H-1B Visas

“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas,” Trump told the New York Post in a phone interview. He emphasized his support by stating, “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 endorsement comes amid an online clash that has revealed deep divisions within Trump's base. Tech industry leaders like Elon Musk view the H-1B visa program as crucial for the U.S. tech sector. Conversely, anti-immigration hard-liners, including right-wing activist Laura Loomer and former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon, argue that the program allows companies to exploit cheap foreign labor at the expense of American workers.

The Role of H-1B Visas in Trump's Businesses

While Trump claims to employ H-1B workers, past reports indicate that he primarily utilizes workers under the H-2A program for temporary agricultural visas and the H-2B program for seasonal workers in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and landscaping. The Trump transition team did not respond to requests for comment on this matter.

Despite this, Trump's statements send a crucial signal to the tech industry. Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley attorney specializing in business immigration, noted, “The president’s statement that he supports immigration and visas for highly skilled workers allows tech workers in Silicon Valley and the companies that employ them to breathe a huge sigh of relief in what has been a tumultuous several months.”

Impact on Tech and Business Leaders

Trump's latest statements mark an early victory for tech and business leaders seeking influence in his administration. However, experts caution that this is unlikely to be the final word on the topic from the president-elect.

Trump's stance on H-1B visas has fluctuated over the years, contradicting his claim of consistent support. In a March 2016 statement, he pledged to “end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program” and insisted on hiring American workers first for every visa and immigration program.

During his first term, the H-1B program continued, albeit under stricter scrutiny as part of an “extreme vetting” approach. In 2020, Trump issued an order temporarily blocking new visas, including H-1Bs.

Policy Implications and Tech Industry Reliance

“In the first Trump term, he went after H-1B,” said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. However, Trump's recent presidential campaign focused on curbing illegal immigration, which could benefit tech industry leaders like Musk, whose businesses rely on H-1B visa holders.

Amazon was the largest sponsor of H-1B visas in 2024 with 9,265, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Other tech giants like Google, Meta, Apple, and IBM also rank among the top sponsors. Musk, born in South Africa, has previously held an H-1B visa before becoming a U.S. citizen.

While only Congress can end the H-1B program, the president can alter its implementation. One proposed change is to award visas based on salary rather than by lottery, potentially benefiting large tech companies.

Trump's Understanding of Immigration Policy

Trump's comments on Saturday, where he seemed to conflate H-1B visas with the H-2B program, suggest a lack of detailed policy understanding. “Just because he says something to the New York Post doesn’t make it a reality in the world of immigration,” Chishti noted.

Immigration issues have created a schism among Trump's advisers. Some believe supporting legal immigration is key to building support for cracking down on illegal immigration, while others, including Bannon, advocate for stricter immigration policies overall.

Earlier on Saturday, Bannon criticized Musk's defense of the H-1B program on Gettr, calling him a “toddler” in need of a “wellness check.” This was in response to Musk's X post, where he used an expletive to insult H-1B opponents and threatened to “go to war on this issue.”

Internal Divisions and Policy Directions

“The Trump White House has the danger of turning into a snake pit when different factions within Trump’s world compete for his attention,” said Tom Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who served at the Department of Homeland Security under both Trump and Barack Obama. “Many people during the first administration feared that whoever talked to Trump last before he made a decision, that’s what he would do. I can say firsthand this actually does happen.”

In conclusion, Trump's endorsement of H-1B visas signals a potential shift in his immigration policy, aligning with tech industry leaders like Elon Musk. However, the internal divisions within his coalition and his fluctuating stance on the issue suggest that the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain. As Trump prepares to take office, the tech industry and immigration advocates will be closely watching his next moves.

In a significant shift, President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind H-1B visas, aligning with tech mogul Elon Musk in a contentious debate over the program that allows skilled foreign workers to temporarily work in the United States. This move highlights a growing rift within Trump's coalition ahead of his January inauguration.

Trump's Endorsement of H-1B Visas

“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas,” Trump told the New York Post in a phone interview. He emphasized his support by stating, “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 endorsement comes amid an online clash that has revealed deep divisions within Trump's base. Tech industry leaders like Elon Musk view the H-1B visa program as crucial for the U.S. tech sector. Conversely, anti-immigration hard-liners, including right-wing activist Laura Loomer and former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon, argue that the program allows companies to exploit cheap foreign labor at the expense of American workers.

The Role of H-1B Visas in Trump's Businesses

While Trump claims to employ H-1B workers, past reports indicate that he primarily utilizes workers under the H-2A program for temporary agricultural visas and the H-2B program for seasonal workers in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and landscaping. The Trump transition team did not respond to requests for comment on this matter.

Despite this, Trump's statements send a crucial signal to the tech industry. Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley attorney specializing in business immigration, noted, “The president’s statement that he supports immigration and visas for highly skilled workers allows tech workers in Silicon Valley and the companies that employ them to breathe a huge sigh of relief in what has been a tumultuous several months.”

Impact on Tech and Business Leaders

Trump's latest statements mark an early victory for tech and business leaders seeking influence in his administration. However, experts caution that this is unlikely to be the final word on the topic from the president-elect.

Trump's stance on H-1B visas has fluctuated over the years, contradicting his claim of consistent support. In a March 2016 statement, he pledged to “end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program” and insisted on hiring American workers first for every visa and immigration program.

During his first term, the H-1B program continued, albeit under stricter scrutiny as part of an “extreme vetting” approach. In 2020, Trump issued an order temporarily blocking new visas, including H-1Bs.

Policy Implications and Tech Industry Reliance

“In the first Trump term, he went after H-1B,” said Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. However, Trump's recent presidential campaign focused on curbing illegal immigration, which could benefit tech industry leaders like Musk, whose businesses rely on H-1B visa holders.

Amazon was the largest sponsor of H-1B visas in 2024 with 9,265, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Other tech giants like Google, Meta, Apple, and IBM also rank among the top sponsors. Musk, born in South Africa, has previously held an H-1B visa before becoming a U.S. citizen.

While only Congress can end the H-1B program, the president can alter its implementation. One proposed change is to award visas based on salary rather than by lottery, potentially benefiting large tech companies.

Trump's Understanding of Immigration Policy

Trump's comments on Saturday, where he seemed to conflate H-1B visas with the H-2B program, suggest a lack of detailed policy understanding. “Just because he says something to the New York Post doesn’t make it a reality in the world of immigration,” Chishti noted.

Immigration issues have created a schism among Trump's advisers. Some believe supporting legal immigration is key to building support for cracking down on illegal immigration, while others, including Bannon, advocate for stricter immigration policies overall.

Earlier on Saturday, Bannon criticized Musk's defense of the H-1B program on Gettr, calling him a “toddler” in need of a “wellness check.” This was in response to Musk's X post, where he used an expletive to insult H-1B opponents and threatened to “go to war on this issue.”

Internal Divisions and Policy Directions

“The Trump White House has the danger of turning into a snake pit when different factions within Trump’s world compete for his attention,” said Tom Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who served at the Department of Homeland Security under both Trump and Barack Obama. “Many people during the first administration feared that whoever talked to Trump last before he made a decision, that’s what he would do. I can say firsthand this actually does happen.”

In conclusion, Trump's endorsement of H-1B visas signals a potential shift in his immigration policy, aligning with tech industry leaders like Elon Musk. However, the internal divisions within his coalition and his fluctuating stance on the issue suggest that the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain. As Trump prepares to take office, the tech industry and immigration advocates will be closely watching his next moves.