West Palm Beach, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for tech leader Elon Musk and his allies in an ongoing debate about immigration visas. This topic has sparked differing opinions among his conservative supporters.
In a recent interview with the New York Post, Trump endorsed the use of visas to attract skilled foreign workers to the United States, saying, “I’ve always liked the visas; I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” This stance puts him at odds with some members of his base who have raised concerns about foreign labor displacing American workers.
Historically, Trump has criticized the H-1B visa program, labeling it as “very bad” and “unfair” to domestic workers. During his first term, he initiated a “Hire American” policy aimed at revising the visa program to prioritize the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants. However, he has also utilized these visas in his own businesses, which he acknowledged in the same interview, 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.”
While Trump did not clarify if he plans to modify the visa policies following his inauguration on January 20, his tough stance on immigration, particularly concerning illegal immigration, has been a key element of his campaign and resonates strongly with many of his supporters.
Recently, however, a divide has emerged within Trump’s base. Critics from the far right are questioning the intentions of Musk and other tech supporters who advocate for greater access to foreign workers, feeling it conflicts with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Proponents argue that the H-1B program helps fill essential roles in the tech sector, while opponents fear it undermines job opportunities for American citizens, leading some to call for the elimination of the program altogether.
