Trump Reverses on H-1B Visas, Sparking MAGA Immigration Fight

Former President Donald Trump’s sudden embrace of H-1B visas has exposed a growing rift between his tech industry supporters and immigration hardliners, complicating his stance on foreign workers ahead of his return to the White House.

“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 told The New York Post on Saturday, appearing to conflate different visa programs. (Records show his companies primarily used H-2 visas for unskilled workers rather than the H-1B program for tech talent.)

The statement contrasts with his previous opposition to the program in 2016, sparking intense debate among his supporters. Immigration was one of Trump’s loudest talking points in his 2024 campaign. It also goes against MAGA’s “America First” anti-immigration doctrine.

Trump’s almost seismic shift also underlines Elon Musk’s growing influence on the incoming president.

Long-time Trump senior adviser Stephen Bannon denounced Musk’s claims on the matter and called him a “toddler” on X.

“This is war,” Bannon said in an interview last Saturday. “I’m glad we’re having this debate now before Trump takes office.”

Bannon claimed that both H-1B and H-2 visas only benefit billionaires and bring down wages for American workers. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer also criticized Musk’s stance and told New York Times that she foresees it as “national security risk.” She later posted about how “technocratic billionaires from Silicon Valley are trying to infiltrate the White House to push for multi polarity so they can establish an American monarchy.”

This also happened: Laura Loomer Says Musk Stripped Her Verification on X: “He Is A Free Speech Fraud”

Musk, who says he previously held an H-1B visa, is defending the program as crucial for addressing engineering talent shortages — he warned that he would “go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” His company Tesla received 724 H-1B visas this year.

The skilled worker program is currently capped at 65,000 visas annually, while Trump’s businesses were approved for over 1,000 H-2 visas for unskilled workers between 2003 and 2017.


Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

Avino Q2 Earnings: Steady As She Goes

MEG Energy: Cenovus Comes In With $7.9 BILLION Offer

Orla Mining Q2 Earnings: Musselwhite Changes Everything

Recommended

Northern Superior Expands Philibert With 350 Metre Step Out Testing 1.10 g/t Gold Over 25.5 Metres

Goliath Resources Hits 18.58 g/t Gold Over 5.00 Metres At Surebet

Related News

Twitter v. Elon Musk: We Read It So You Don’t Have To

Tweets and memes as court evidences, a peek behind the boardroom negotiations, and a tussle...

Thursday, July 14, 2022, 01:26:00 PM

Elon Musk, Jake Paul Endorsements May Hurt Candidates with Young Voters, Poll Finds

In the coming national election, not all influencer support is good, it appears. A recent...

Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 02:14:00 PM

Trump Is Back For 2024, But Not With Top GOP Megadonors, Daughter Ivanka

He may have once said, “we’re gonna win so much, you may even get tired...

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 09:51:00 AM

Why NBCUniversal’s Linda Yaccarino Makes Sense As New Twitter CEO (But Only For Elon Musk)

NBCUniversal’s head of advertising, Linda Yaccarino, is reportedly in talks to become the new CEO...

Friday, May 12, 2023, 08:57:38 AM

Trump Signs Order to Reclaim Mineral Independence

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at vastly increasing domestic mineral...

Friday, March 21, 2025, 09:45:00 AM