Trump speaks out amid internal controversy over H-1B visas

US President-elect Donald Trump has commented after his advisers argued over the H-1B visa program.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers to work in the US for a certain period of time, especially in fields such as technology and science . Tech billionaires who have become allies of Mr. Trump recently, such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have argued with his longtime allies over the H-1B visa program.

The controversy has prompted the president-elect to speak out to stop it. In an interview with the New York Post on December 28, his first comment since the controversy broke out last week, Mr. Trump said: "I always like the (H-1B) visa, I always support this visa, that's why we have them at my facilities." Mr. Trump said he has recruited many employees under the H-1B program to work at his facilities.

"I'm a big believer in the H-1B. I've used it many times. It's a great program," Mr. Trump said.

Billionaire Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump at SpaceX's facility in Texas in November

The two billionaires, who were chosen by Mr. Trump to co-head an informal advisory board on budget savings and government efficiency, strongly support the H-1B visa program because they believe the United States produces too few highly skilled graduates, according to AFP.

Mr. Musk, who came to the United States from South Africa on an H-1B visa, wrote on his social network X that attracting technical talent from abroad is key to America's continued success.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ramaswamy, whose parents immigrated from India, criticized “American culture” that he said worshiped mediocrity and warned that the United States was in danger of being overtaken by China.

Mr. Ramaswamy points out that when society prioritizes prominent figures in fields unrelated to science, technology, or engineering (he cites television characters built around traits like popularity, attractiveness, or physicality), it can be detrimental to the development of important skills and talents in engineering and science.

The billionaires' comments have angered many prominent anti-immigration conservatives who have long supported Mr. Trump. "I am waiting for the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said Laura Loomer, a far-right MAGA supporter who often appeared with Mr. Trump during the recent election campaign. "We must protect the President from technocrats," Ms. Loomer said. According to AFP, Ms. Loomer and others believe that Mr. Trump should prioritize American workers and further restrict immigration.

In response, Mr. Musk warned of a “MAGA civil war” and declared his readiness to go to war with a critic of his over the issue. “The reason I am in the United States with so many important people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that make America strong is because of the H-1B,” Mr. Musk said.

Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist under Trump, said the H-1B program brought in immigrants who were essentially "contract slaves" working for lower wages than US citizens. Bannon also attacked Musk, calling the Tesla CEO a "kid."

President-elect Trump’s comments suggest he is siding with the two billionaires. According to AFP, some of his longtime supporters have expressed concern that Mr. Trump will be influenced by big donors like Mr. Musk and stray from his campaign promises.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-trump-len-tieng-giua-tranh-cai-noi-bo-ve-thi-thuc-h-1b-185241229072713638.htm