Trump sides with billionaire Musk, supports visas for tech workers

Mr. Trump sided with billionaire Elon Musk, declaring his support for the controversial US H-1B visa program for foreign technology workers.

Billionaire Elon Musk joins Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential campaign - Photo: REUTERS

On December 28, US time, Mr. Trump affirmed his support for the H-1B visa program despite opposition from anti-immigration supporters.

"I believe in the H-1B. I've used it many times. It's a great program," US President-elect Donald Trump told the New York Post , adding that businesses he owns also use the visa program.

It was Trump’s first public comment on the issue since the controversy erupted this week. He also restricted H-1B visas during his first term.

Billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced on December 27 that he will "fight" to protect this visa program for foreign technology workers.

Mr. Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in South Africa, has used H-1B visas in the past, and his electric car company, Tesla, has applied for 724 of them this year. H-1B visas are typically valid for three years, although holders can renew them or apply for a green card.

The controversy erupted after far-right activists criticized Mr. Trump’s selection of Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as an artificial intelligence adviser, saying he would influence the Trump administration’s immigration policies. They also pushed to cancel the H-1B visa program.

Steve Bannon, a longtime friend of Mr Trump, criticized “big tech” for supporting the H-1B program and saw immigration as a threat to Western civilization.

In response, Mr. Musk and many other tech billionaires have called for a line to be drawn between legal and illegal immigration. They also argue that the U.S. currently produces too few highly skilled graduates and are enthusiastic supporters of the H-1B program.

“Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech,” said Laura Loomer, a far-right figure known for her conspiracy theories who often flies with Mr. Trump on his campaign plane.

“We must protect President Trump from technocrats,” she said, arguing that Mr. Trump should promote American workers and further restrict immigration.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-trump-ve-phe-ti-phu-musk-ung-ho-thi-thuc-cho-lao-dong-cong-nghe-20241229074617235.htm