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President-elect Donald Trump has expressed strong support for the H-1B visa program, which annually brings thousands of foreign workers, primarily from India, to fill white-collar positions in America.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump stated, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” He further 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.”
These comments emerge amid an ongoing online controversy between H-1B supporters, including prominent figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, and critics from across the political spectrum.
Trump comes out in support of visas for highly skilled workers, which has always been his stance.
There’s a massive difference between legal immigration for productive members of society, and a wide open border for millions to pour in unchecked.
Not difficult to grasp. pic.twitter.com/dYuuE1nVXj
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) December 28, 2024
The H-1B program’s impact on American workers has been significant, with approximately 650,000 foreign workers present in the U.S. at any time. Recent studies indicate that H-1B visa holders typically earn about 10 percent less than their American counterparts in similar positions.
The technology sector particularly demonstrates the program’s influence. Silicon Valley’s tech workforce comprises 71 percent foreign-born workers, while the broader San Francisco Bay Area maintains a 50 percent foreign-born tech workforce. Indian nationals constitute up to 99 percent of H-1B workers brought in by the top eight outsourcing companies.
Interestingly, Trump’s current stance appears to contrast with his previous positions. His 2015 immigration platform specifically addressed H-1B reform, stating: “We graduate two times more Americans with STEM degrees each year than find STEM jobs, yet as much as two-thirds of entry-level hiring for IT jobs is accomplished through the H-1B program. More than half of H-1B visas are issued for the program’s lowest allowable wage level, and more than eighty percent for its bottom two. Raising the prevailing wage paid to H-1Bs will force companies to give these coveted entry-level jobs to the existing domestic pool of unemployed native and immigrant, instead of flying in cheaper workers from overseas. This will improve the number of black, Hispanic and female workers in Silicon Valley who have been passed over in favor of the H-1B program. Mark Zuckerberg’s personal Senator, Marco Rubio, has a bill to triple H-1Bs that would decimate women and minorities.”
Trump comes out in support of visas for highly skilled workers, which has always been his stance.
There’s a massive difference between legal immigration for productive members of society, and a wide open border for millions to pour in unchecked.
Not difficult to grasp. pic.twitter.com/dYuuE1nVXj
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) December 28, 2024
During his presidency, Trump implemented significant reforms in 2020, including mandatory federal agency audits and elimination of the lottery system in favor of a salary-based selection process. His administration directly intervened when the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) planned to replace 200 American workers with H-1B visa holders.
Trump’s intervention led to the dismissal of TVA Chair Skip Thompson and successfully prevented the planned outsourcing. He also demanded TVA CEO Jeff Lyash reduce his $8 million salary to no more than $500,000 annually.
The White House emphasized these actions, stating: “Outsourcing hundreds of workers is especially detrimental in the middle of a pandemic, which has already cost millions of Americans their jobs. President Trump’s actions will help combat employers’ misuse of H-1B visas, which were never intended to replace qualified American workers with low-cost foreign labor.”
