President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for H-1B visas, emphasizing their importance for the U.S. economy and his own business ventures, in a move likely to deepen divisions within the Republican Party. The visas, which allow highly-skilled foreign workers to fill specialized roles in the U.S., have become a flashpoint among GOP members, particularly after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both key Trump allies, expressed strong support for the program.
“I’ve always liked the visas; I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said in a phone interview with The New York Post published Saturday. “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.”
Trump’s comments come as Musk and Ramaswamy, slated to co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his administration, face backlash from within the Republican base. Critics, including far-right activist Laura Loomer and other hardline anti-immigration voices, argue the H-1B program is overly complicated and susceptible to abuse, with some demanding tighter restrictions or outright elimination.
Musk Promises a Fight
The controversy escalated Friday night when Musk, responding to criticism on his social platform X, pledged an all-out battle to defend the program.
“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 H-1B,” Musk wrote. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
Musk’s fiery remarks followed renewed attention on a proposal from Sriram Krishnan, Trump’s incoming White House policy adviser on artificial intelligence. Last month, Krishnan suggested eliminating caps on green cards for skilled immigrants—a suggestion that reignited the debate when Krishnan’s appointment was announced.
Bipartisan Tensions
The H-1B dispute has highlighted divisions not only within the Republican Party but also between Trump’s incoming administration and Democratic lawmakers. Earlier this month, the Biden administration clarified application rules for H-1B visas, addressing longstanding concerns from industry leaders and immigrant advocacy groups. The move was seen as an attempt to simplify the process before Trump’s administration takes office, given expectations of a broader crackdown on immigration.
Democratic lawmakers, while critical of GOP policies on immigration, have urged for a streamlined approach to skilled immigration, fearing that internal GOP disputes could stymie progress.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s vocal support for H-1B visas, coupled with the high-profile stances of Musk and Ramaswamy, signals a potential shift in Republican immigration policy under his leadership. However, with significant opposition within his own party, the program’s future remains uncertain. The battle over H-1B visas is set to be a defining issue in the Trump administration’s approach to balancing economic growth with immigration reform.
