Questiqa World
President-elect Donald Trump defended the H-1B visa program for highly skilled foreign workers in an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, marking his first public remarks on an issue that has stirred division within his base. Trump described himself as “a believer in H-1B” and praised the program for its role in filling specialized jobs in the U.S. economy.
“I’ve always liked the visas; I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump stated. “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.”
While Trump properties have largely utilized the H-2B visa program for temporary non-agricultural workers in hospitality and landscaping, his businesses have occasionally employed workers through the H-1B program. Department of Labor data shows that since 2008, Trump-owned companies have requested approvals for over 2,100 foreign worker positions, including approximately 70 for high-skilled H-1B workers, primarily through entities like Trump Model Management and Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York. The most recent H-1B hire by a Trump company occurred in 2022 when Trump Media & Technology Group was approved to employ a data analyst.
Trump’s comments come amidst a contentious debate sparked by tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have voiced strong support for the H-1B program. Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen and former H-1B holder, lauded the program for enabling critical contributions to companies like SpaceX and Tesla. “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,” Musk posted on social media, vowing to “go to war” to protect the program.
Their defense of H-1B visas has drawn sharp criticism from anti-immigration factions within Trump’s coalition. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon denounced the program as a “scam,” echoing sentiments from figures like former Rep. Matt Gaetz and far-right activist Laura Loomer.
Trump’s evolving stance on immigration reflects his effort to navigate competing pressures within his coalition as he prepares for his second term. While his first presidency included restricting foreign worker visas, his 2024 campaign signals openness to granting legal status to some foreign-born U.S. university graduates. This delicate balancing act underscores the deepening fault lines over immigration policy among his supporters.
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