In a recent development, Elon Musk, co-chair of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has called for major reforms to the H-1B visa program, aiming to prioritize American workers and address concerns of exploitation within the system.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher. These occupations often include fields like IT, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
As of September 30, 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) estimated that approximately 583,420 individuals were authorized to work in the United States under the H-1B visa classification.
Each fiscal year, there is a congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals holding a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution, totaling 85,000 new H-1B visas annually.
Musk, an immigrant himself who benefited from the H-1B program, acknowledges its role in attracting top-tier talent to the United States.
Musk previously wrote, “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 H1B.”
He added, “Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
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After facing backlash for his comment, Musk offered clarification in another post.
“Maybe this is a helpful clarification: I am referring to bringing in via legal immigration the top ~0.1% of engineering talent as being essential for America to keep winning,” Musk wrote.
“This is like bringing in the Jokic’s or Wemby’s of the world to help your whole team (which is mostly Americans!) win the NBA. Thinking of America as a pro sports team that has been winning for a long time and wants to keep winning is the right mental construct.”
However, Musk emphasizes the necessity for reforms to prevent potential abuses and to ensure that American workers are not disadvantaged.
This development follows revelations by X user Robert Sterling, who highlighted how certain companies are exploiting the H-1B visa program.
America needs to be a destination for the world’s most elite talent. But the H-1B program isn’t the way to do that.
I’m going to stop posting for now, but let me know if there are any other visualizations that would be helpful.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading!
— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) December 29, 2024
Musk responded, “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically. I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.”
Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically.
I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2024
Musk also expressed confidence in the direction set in the upcoming Trump administration.
He added, “I’m confident that the changes made in the Donald Trump administration will make America much stronger. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
You too.
I’m confident that the changes made in the @realDonaldTrump administration will make America much stronger.
A rising tide lifts all boats.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2024
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