Elon Musk Defends H-1B Visas Amid Immigration Policy Debate
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, pledged to staunchly defend the H-1B visa program, which is crucial for foreign tech workers and, notably, for companies like SpaceX and Tesla that rely on it, in response to criticism from President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration hardliners.
Musk, himself a naturalized U.S. citizen and former H-1B visa holder, emphasized the program's role in building companies like Tesla and SpaceX, stating, “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
The H-1B program, vital to the U.S. tech industry, faces opposition from Trump’s far-right supporters, who argue it undercuts American wages. Tensions flared after criticism of Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian American AI adviser, led to Steve Bannon calling out "big tech oligarchs" for backing the program.
Musk and other tech leaders differentiated legal immigration, supported by H-1B visas, from illegal immigration.
Trump, who has been silent on the matter, has historically supported skilled worker visas while promising stricter immigration controls.
Musk’s advocacy highlights a divide between tech leaders and Trump’s base over immigration policy.
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