Billionaire tech mogul and President-elect Trump defend H-1B program amid growing tensions over immigration policies
On December 28, 2024, US President-elect Donald Trump publicly supported tech mogul Elon Musk in a growing dispute over the H-1B visa program, a key immigration pathway for foreign tech workers. Trump, whose previous administration sought to limit the program, reversed his stance, emphasizing his belief in the value of H-1B visas.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has long been an advocate for the H-1B visa, having utilized it himself. On December 27, he took to social media, vowing to “go to war” in defense of the program after facing criticism from Trump’s supporters and immigration hardliners, who argue the program harms American workers by allowing foreign workers to take tech jobs.
Trump echoed Musk’s sentiment, stating, “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.” The remarks came after Musk’s company, Tesla, obtained 724 H-1B visas in 2024 alone.
The dispute stemmed from a broader debate within Trump’s political base over immigration policy. Critics, including former advisor Steve Bannon, accuse “big tech oligarchs” like Musk of undermining American workers through reliance on foreign labor, particularly skilled immigrants.
Musk and other tech leaders argue that the H-1B program provides essential talent to fill gaps in American companies, especially as the demand for highly skilled workers in tech continues to grow. Musk himself has contributed significantly to Trump’s election efforts, spending more than $250 million to support his campaign.
Despite opposition from some of his supporters, Trump’s backing of the H-1B visa highlights the complex relationship between his administration’s immigration policies and the needs of the US tech industry.
