Despite some criticism from his fans, President-elect Trump is in favor of the H-1B visa program for foreign IT workers. This comes after Elon Musk defended the program, saying that America's technological progress depends on luring talent from around the world.
President-elect Donald Trump stated on Saturday that "he fully backs the program for foreign tech workers opposed by some of his supporters" amid the public discussion over the use of the H-1B visa.The remark follows billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk's vow late Friday to wage "war" in support of the visa program for foreign tech workers in a series of X postings.
Trump, who took action to restrict the use of the visas during his first term as president, stated to The New York Post on Saturday that he also supported the visa program.
"My homes are home to numerous H-1B visas. I have been a supporter of H-1B. I've made extensive use of it. "That's a fantastic program," he was cited as saying. Here is all you need to know about the H-1B Visa, including its significance and the debate around it.
H-1B Visa: What is it? Why does it matter to Indians?
According to the American Immigration Council, firms can apply for highly qualified foreign professionals to work in "specialty occupations" that need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent under the H-1B temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category.ii Jobs in the medical sciences, engineering, technology, and mathematics frequently qualify. An H-1B visa classification normally lasts for three years at first, which may be extended for a maximum of six years.
H-1B Visa: What is it? Why does it matter to Indians?
According to the American Immigration Council, firms can apply for highly qualified foreign professionals to work in "specialty occupations" that need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent under the H-1B temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category.ii Jobs in the medical sciences, engineering, technology, and mathematics frequently qualify. An H-1B visa classification normally lasts for three years at first, which may be extended for a maximum of six years.
Employers must, however, take precautions to guarantee that hiring a foreign worker won't negatively impact American workers before submitting a petition to USCIS.
With H1B visas, thousands of Indian tech workers relocate to the US each year. According to data from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, 755,020 individuals were admitted to the US under H-1B status in FY 2023. Indian nationals obtained the most H-1B visas, accounting for 72.3% of all H-1B visas granted by the United States during the fiscal year 2023, according to data made public by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What you should know about the controversies around H-1B visas:
Far-right activists sparked the incident earlier this week when they denounced Trump's appointment of Indian American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as an AI adviser, claiming he would have a voice in the Trump administration's immigration policies.
In response, tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk of Tesla and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-chair a government cost-cutting council with Musk, believe the US produces too few highly trained graduates and strongly support the H1-B program.
Musk said on his X platform Thursday that attracting top engineering talent from outside was "essential for America to keep winning." Musk immigrated from South Africa on an H1-B.
In the midst of a contentious discussion over immigration and the status of skilled immigrants and foreign workers brought into the country on work visas, Trump's followers and immigration hardliners have been pushing for the elimination of the H-1B visa program, which he targeted in his tweet.
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon attacked "big tech oligarchs" on Friday for backing the H-1B program and portrayed immigration as a danger to Western culture.
Musk and numerous other tech billionaires responded by drawing a distinction between what they consider to be legitimate and illegal immigration.
With H1B visas, thousands of Indian tech workers relocate to the US each year. According to data from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, 755,020 individuals were admitted to the US under H-1B status in FY 2023. Indian nationals obtained the most H-1B visas, accounting for 72.3% of all H-1B visas granted by the United States during the fiscal year 2023, according to data made public by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What you should know about the controversies around H-1B visas:
Far-right activists sparked the incident earlier this week when they denounced Trump's appointment of Indian American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as an AI adviser, claiming he would have a voice in the Trump administration's immigration policies.
In response, tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk of Tesla and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-chair a government cost-cutting council with Musk, believe the US produces too few highly trained graduates and strongly support the H1-B program.
Musk said on his X platform Thursday that attracting top engineering talent from outside was "essential for America to keep winning." Musk immigrated from South Africa on an H1-B.
In the midst of a contentious discussion over immigration and the status of skilled immigrants and foreign workers brought into the country on work visas, Trump's followers and immigration hardliners have been pushing for the elimination of the H-1B visa program, which he targeted in his tweet.
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon attacked "big tech oligarchs" on Friday for backing the H-1B program and portrayed immigration as a danger to Western culture.
Musk and numerous other tech billionaires responded by drawing a distinction between what they consider to be legitimate and illegal immigration.
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