Trump Says He Supports Both Sides of H-1B Visa Debate, Advocates for Expanding Categories
President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing debate over the H-1B visa program, stating that he supports both sides of the argument but emphasized his desire to expand the categories of workers eligible for the visa.
Washington: President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing debate over the H-1B visa program, stating that he supports both sides of the argument but emphasized his desire to expand the categories of workers eligible for the visa. During a news briefing on Tuesday, Trump highlighted that he wants to include not just engineers, but also individuals in other fields like maitre d’s, wine experts, and high-quality waiters to come to the U.S. under the program.
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Trump’s Stance on the H-1B Visa Program
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations for up to six years to address talent shortages in fields like engineering and technology. The program has been the subject of intense debate, with some conservatives arguing that it has been misused to replace American workers with lower-wage foreign employees.
While Trump acknowledged the concerns over the H-1B program, he also made it clear that he supports bringing in “competent people” to help fill a variety of roles. “I like both sides of the argument,” Trump said. “But I also like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping other people that may not have the qualifications they do.”
Expanding H-1B to Include Diverse Occupations
Trump stressed that the focus should not be limited to engineers. “I’m talking about people at all levels… Maitre d’s, wine experts, even waiters, high-quality waiters. You’ve got to get the best people now,” Trump added.
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The president also noted that many successful business leaders, including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, require highly skilled engineers for their companies. Trump argued that expanding the H-1B program would foster business growth, ultimately benefiting the U.S. economy.
Current H-1B Visa Allocation
Currently, the U.S. issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually, both to foreign workers abroad and to foreign students studying at U.S. colleges and universities. The majority of these visas have been granted to workers from India, who make up a significant portion of the program’s beneficiaries.
Conclusion: A Broader Approach to Talent
President Trump’s comments indicate a desire to reform the H-1B visa program by broadening the scope to attract top talent across various industries. While continuing to support the tech sector’s need for skilled workers, he also advocates for a more inclusive approach to other high-skill professions.
