1mo ago

Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers

www.theguardian.com Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers

Remarks follow social media posts from Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who vowed to go to ‘war’ to defend program

Summary

Donald Trump publicly supported Elon Musk’s defense of the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign tech workers, despite opposition from some of his far-right supporters.

The debate was reignited after Trump appointed Indian-American AI expert Sriram Krishnan as an adviser, sparking criticism from immigration hard-liners.

Musk, a former H-1B holder, argued the program is essential for U.S. tech, while critics like Steve Bannon claim it undercuts American wages.

This stance marks a shift from Trump’s earlier policies limiting H-1B visas, highlighting tensions within his base over immigration policy.

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39 comments

Well, there it is. The one fucking policy decision Trump made his first term that I agreed with and could point to as "see? I don't hate everything Trump does just because he's Trump," was his reduction of H1B visas.
Now I guess I can officially say I hate every single Trump policy. There is no silver lining. He makes the wrong decision every time.
- What's wrong with H1B visas? Or, well, I know what's wrong with H1B visas but how is reducing them the right solutions to those problems?
  
  The problem with tech workers isn't there aren't enough Americans willing or able to do the work, it's that we bring in essentially indentured servants instead of just educating our own people and paying them. H1B visas are supposed to be the stopgap, not the solution.
  But they want stupid American consumers and voters and cheap and capable foreign worker drones. It's disgusting the way the wealthy feed off of America like a pig trough.
  
  The problem with tech workers isn't there aren't enough Americans willing or able to do the work, it's that we bring in essentially indentured servants instead of just educating our own people and paying them
  That's true, but I'd say making H1B visas not indentured servitude and requiring that H1B visa holders be paid the same as domestic workers would be a better way of solving this problem. America has historically thrived due to being the land of opportunity and it doesn't seem wise to go back on that now.
  
  I don't have a problem with foreign workers at all. Most of my teams have been at least 50% foreign workers. Often more. And I've made some good relationships with folks I'm happy to recommend for any positions.
  I think the changes you suggest would fix the problem for everyone. The workers wouldn't be so attractive for companies while still being available for hire. However, as currently implemented, I oppose any expansion to H1B.
  I spent 5 months out of work last year, and I'm not even particularly well paid (quite poorly, in fact, for a 28 year veteran) because I can't move my family west. We clearly don't need to bring in more cheaper labor.

39 comments