Elon Musk Criticizes “Broken” H-1B Visa System

Elon Musk Criticizes “Broken” H-1B Visa System, Calls for Major Reforms

Elon Musk Pushes for H-1B Reform Amid Immigration Debate: Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and incoming advisor in Donald Trump’s administration, has reignited the debate on the H-1B visa program, describing it as “broken” and calling for significant reforms. Days after pledging to “go to war” to defend the visa program, Musk reiterated his stance on Sunday, emphasizing the need for a system overhaul to prioritize elite talent while addressing domestic concerns.

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.

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If you made it this far, thanks for reading!

— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) December 29, 2024

Musk’s Vision for Reform

Responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted the flaws in the current H-1B system, stating that while it enables the U.S. to attract skilled foreign workers, it requires a fundamental reset. He suggested raising the minimum salary threshold for H-1B workers and introducing an annual maintenance cost for the visa to ensure hiring foreign talent becomes more costly than employing domestic workers. Musk, who himself entered the U.S. on an H-1B visa from South Africa, believes such measures would incentivize companies to invest in local talent while maintaining America’s competitive edge in global innovation.

Ramaswamy Echoes Musk’s Sentiments

Vivek Ramaswamy, another prominent Indian-American entrepreneur and member of the incoming Trump administration, also supports reforming the H-1B system. Ramaswamy criticized a U.S. culture that, in his view, prioritizes mediocrity over excellence, arguing that such attitudes hinder the country’s ability to cultivate world-class talent.

In a pointed remark on X, Ramaswamy lamented that cultural values often elevate social popularity over intellectual achievement, a trend he believes undermines America’s capacity to produce top-tier engineers and innovators.

Clashes with Trump’s MAGA Base

Musk and Ramaswamy’s pro-H-1B stance has drawn backlash from some MAGA loyalists, including far-right commentator Laura Loomer and former Congressman Matt Gaetz. Critics argue that the visa program threatens American jobs by favoring foreign workers. Loomer specifically targeted Trump’s selection of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as an AI policy advisor, accusing him of being an “India First” operative.

The backlash prompted Musk to defend his position vigorously, warning of a potential “MAGA civil war” if the debate continues to divide Trump’s supporters.

Trump’s Position on H-1B Visas

Despite the internal dissent, Donald Trump has publicly supported the H-1B program, highlighting its benefits for industries reliant on skilled foreign workers. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump praised the program as a vital tool for economic growth and innovation, noting its past use within his own business ventures.

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