President-elect Donald Trump has taken a clear stance in support of H-1B visas, backing tech billionaire Elon Musk in a heated debate that has divided his MAGA supporters.
“I’ve always liked the visas; I’ve always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told The New York Post on Saturday. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I’ve used it many times. It’s a great program.”
Trump’s statement could help cool down the arguments that have broken out online between those who support skilled immigration as an economic boost and others who believe it threatens jobs for American workers. However, By aligning with Musk, a key campaign financier, Trump risks alienating his rabid base. Many of Trump’s most prominent supporters, like Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer, remain firmly against the H-1B visa program.
The latest rift started after Loomer criticized Trump’s choice of Indian-born entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as a senior adviser on artificial intelligence. She accused Krishnan of supporting policies that go against the MAGA agenda.
Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen who once held an H-1B visa himself, responded by emphasizing the program’s importance. He pointed out that many of the top minds behind SpaceX and Tesla were able to contribute to the U.S. economy thanks to H-1B visas.
“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. Take a big step back and f*** yourself in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
This growing divide has exposed a real challenge within Trump’s base. On one side are business leaders like Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who argue for a revamped H-1B system focused on merit. Ramaswamy has been vocal about the need to replace the current lottery-based system with one that rewards excellence and gives workers more flexibility. On the other side are hardliners like Loomer and Bannon, who have doubled down on their anti-immigration stance.
Trump himself has shown a willingness to support skilled legal immigration. In a podcast interview earlier this year, he suggested giving green cards to international students who graduate from U.S. universities, especially those with advanced degrees. He sees this as a way to keep top talent in the country.
“If you graduate or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country,” he said.
