Tech mogul Elon Musk, just days after pledging to “go to war” to defend the H-1B visa program, expressed his concerns about the system, calling it “broken” and in urgent need of “major reform.” The H-1B visa, which facilitates the entry of skilled foreign workers into the US, has been at the center of recent debates between Musk, Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and supporters of President-elect Donald Trump.
Musk and Ramaswamy, both of whom are set to join the incoming Trump administration, have voiced strong support for the H-1B program. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk reiterated that the program is in dire need of an overhaul. He responded to a user who argued that the US should focus on attracting elite talent, stating that the current H-1B system is inadequate and requires substantial change.
Drawing from his own experience as a former H-1B visa holder from South Africa, Musk suggested that the system could be improved by significantly raising the minimum salary threshold and implementing a yearly fee to maintain the visa. This would make hiring foreign talent more costly than employing domestic workers.
Last week, Musk emphasized the importance of attracting top-tier engineering talent from abroad to ensure America’s continued success. Ramaswamy, who is the son of Indian immigrants, shared Musk’s view, pointing out that American culture often favors “mediocrity over excellence,” citing the tendency to celebrate less academically rigorous achievements over intellectual accomplishments.
The debate surrounding the H-1B visa program has intensified, with many of Trump’s supporters advocating for its abolition. This controversy flared up after Trump appointed Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as an advisor on artificial intelligence policy. Right-wing figures like Laura Loomer criticized the decision, accusing Musk and Ramaswamy of undermining American workers.
Loomer’s criticisms included a viral post claiming that Krishnan was part of an “India First” agenda aiming to replace American jobs with foreign labor. Musk fired back, warning of a “MAGA civil war” over the issue, and made it clear that he was prepared to fight for his position.
In the midst of the backlash, former President Donald Trump publicly sided with Musk and Ramaswamy, reaffirming his support for the H-1B program. Trump, who had previously moved to limit the use of these visas during his presidency, told The New York Post that he believes in the value of the program. He expressed that he had personally utilized H-1B visas for his own businesses, emphasizing the program’s importance for the tech industry.
