World

“I’ve always been in favour…”: Donald Trump affirms support for “great” H-1B visa programme

In a major shift from his earlier stance, US President elect Donald Trump has expressed his support for the H-1B visa programme and acknowledged frequently using it for his own properties, calling it a “great programme,” according to a report by New York Post.

Calling it a “great programme,” the President-elect said he has “always” been in its favour.

“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favour of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said in a telephonic interview with the New York Post.

He added, “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 programme.”

Notably, during Trump’s first term, the administration imposed restrictions on H-1B visas, citing concerns over “abuse” and “economic strain.”

In 2016, Trump condemned the program, describing it as a means for companies to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees. Restrictions tightened further in 2020 in response to economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump’s latest remarks comes after a major divide emerged within his MAGA team in the United States, as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy who advocated for the expansion of the visa program for ‘highly skilled workers’ faced heavy backlash from within President-elect’s base.

Musk and Ramaswamy — both foreign origin leaders heading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — reignited the debate on H-1B visas, while reflecting a divide over immigration policy as Trump prepares to assume office.

The debate over H1B visas and immigration policy has intensified following Trump’s announcement of Sriram Krishnan as the White House policy adviser on artificial intelligence. Krishnan has previously supported removing per-country caps for green cards, a stance that has sparked mixed reactions.

While some Trump supporters back this approach, citing its potential to fill critical gaps in the tech workforce, others see it as conflicting with the administration’s broader immigration goals.

The H1B visa debate has exposed deeper divides in US immigration policy, particularly regarding the balance between skilled immigration and domestic workforce development. With Indian workers comprising 72 per cent of H1B recipients in fiscal year 2023, this issue also has implications for US-India relations.

ANI

Ani service

Recent Posts

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy holds inter-ministerial meeting to discuss ways to secure supply chains of rare earth and critical minerals

Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday held an inter-ministerial meeting…

5 hours ago

India’s largest automobile in-plant railway siding at Maruti Manesar facility starts operation

India's largest automobile in-plant railway siding at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar facility started operation on Tuesday,…

7 hours ago

Google unveils safety charter for India’s AI-led transformation

Google on Tuesday unveiled its Safety Charter for India's AI-led transformation, at the "Safer with…

8 hours ago

Paank report reveals 128 enforced disappearances, 27 killings in Balochistan, urges EU to reassess Pakistan’s GSP+ Status

The human rights organisation of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Paank, has published its most…

9 hours ago

Israel says it killed Iran’s senior-most military official Ali Shadmani

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday claimed that it has killed Iran's senior-most military…

10 hours ago

“Indian students in Tehran moved out of city”: MEA asks other Indians in Iran’s capital city to leave

Amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday…

12 hours ago