Trump appears to side with Musk, tech allies in debate over foreign workers roiling his supporters

President-elect Donald Trump is making waves in the tech industry as he appears to be siding with Elon Musk and other backers in a dispute over immigration visas. The issue has divided his supporters, but Trump seems to be leaning towards supporting the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S.

In an interview with the New York Post, Trump expressed his support for visas, stating, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” This stance is a departure from his previous criticism of H-1B visas, which he had called “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. During his first term as president, he implemented a “Hire American” policy aimed at awarding visas to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants.

Despite his past criticism of the program, Trump revealed that he has utilized H-1B visas at his own properties and considers it a “great program.” However, he did not address whether he plans to make any changes to the number or use of visas once he assumes office on January 20.

Trump’s immigration policies, particularly those targeting illegal immigrants, were a key focus of his presidential campaign and a top priority for his supporters. However, the issue of tech industry hiring practices has sparked a public debate within his coalition. Some hard-right members have accused Musk and other tech industry supporters of promoting policies that contradict Trump’s “America First” agenda.

The tech industry relies on H-1B visas to fill hard-to-find positions with skilled foreign workers. While supporters argue that these visas are essential for the industry, critics contend that they disadvantage U.S. citizens who could potentially take those jobs. Some on the right have even called for the elimination of the program altogether.

As Trump prepares to take office, his stance on immigration visas and the tech industry’s hiring practices will likely continue to be a point of contention among his supporters. It remains to be seen how he will navigate this issue while staying true to his “America First” vision.