Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the H-1B visa programme in an interview on Saturday. Breaking his silence on the issue, Trump stated, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favour of the visas. That’s why we have them.”
He further elaborated, “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 programme.”
Trump’s remarks came amidst heated debates involving figures such as Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Sriram Krishnan and David Sacks, who have all expressed support for the visa system. The controversy has escalated within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, with Trump ally Laura Loomer clashing with Musk on the issue.
Trump’s previous criticism of the H-1B programme during his first term, which included restrictions on foreign worker visas, contrasted sharply with his recent suggestion that graduates from US colleges and universities should automatically receive green cards.
The debate over the H-1B visa programme has drawn significant attention due to potential policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration.
The programme allows companies to hire foreign workers and its future has become a focal point of concern, particularly for America First activists.
Elon Musk’s involvement as a vocal advocate for the programme has further fuelled tensions. Musk stated, “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 H1B.”
Musk did not hold back in his criticism of those opposing the programme, declaring, “Take a big step back and F**K YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” paraphrasing a line from the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder.
His strong stance highlights the growing divide between proponents of the H-1B system and those pushing for more restrictive immigration policies.
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