President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support for Elon Musk's stance on the H-1B visa programme, a day after the tech billionaire vowed to "go to war" to defend the initiative that facilitates skilled foreign workers’ entry into the US.
Musk, who has been tapped alongside Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Trump’s newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently argued that foreign workers are essential for tech companies like SpaceX and Tesla.
On December 27, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to criticism of his pro-H-1B stance, highlighting the importance of skilled immigrants in building successful American businesses.
"The reason I’m in America, along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that strengthened America, is because of H-1B," Musk wrote.
In a fiery exchange, Musk used a profane quote from Tom Cruise's character in the film Tropic Thunder to hit back at critics: "Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face."
Trump's Support for H-1B Visas
On December 28, Trump voiced his backing for Musk, stating his longstanding support for the visa programme. "I’ve always liked the visas; I’ve always been in favour of them. That’s why we have them," Trump told the New York Post. "I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve used it many times. It’s a great programme."
The H-1B visa, a non-immigrant visa, allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised fields such as technology and engineering. Tech firms depend on this programme to hire talent, particularly from countries like India and China.
While Trump’s first administration imposed restrictions on H-1B visas in 2020, citing concerns about replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign labour, his recent comments mark a shift that aligns with the tech industry's demands.
Musk Defends Skilled Immigration
Musk, who was once on an H-1B visa himself, reiterated his support for the programme, emphasising its role in maintaining America’s competitive edge. "Anyone – of any race, creed, or nationality – who came to America and worked like hell to contribute to this country will forever have my respect. America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Fight with every fibre of your being to keep it that way!" Musk posted on X.
He also criticised individuals he deemed prioritise personal gain over national interest. "This is the right position for those who want America to win. For those who want America to lose for their own personal gain, I have no respect. Zero," he wrote.
Musk has been consistently vocal about the need for more skilled immigration, noting on December 25: "There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent. It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley."
Backlash and Division
Trump’s support for H-1B visas has faced pushback from some of his supporters and immigration hardliners. The debate intensified when right-wing influencer Laura Loomer criticised Trump’s choice of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his forthcoming administration.
Loomer labelled the pro-immigration stance as "not America First policy," accusing tech executives of prioritising their financial interests.
Ramaswamy also stirred controversy, criticising American culture for "promoting mediocrity" over excellence. "Trump’s election hopefully marks the beginning of a new golden era in America, but only if our culture fully wakes up – prioritising achievement over normalcy, excellence over mediocrity, nerdiness over conformity, and hard work over laziness," Ramaswamy said on December 26.
While his remarks drew criticism, Musk defended Ramaswamy, calling for the Republican Party to purge "contemptible fools" who oppose progressive immigration policies. Musk clarified that his comments targeted "hateful, unrepentant racists" whom he sees as a threat to the party's future.
Source: With inputs from PTI