A debate within the Republican Party over “high-skilled” immigrants and H-1B work visas has erupted during the usually quiet holiday season, highlighting divisions among Trump supporters and within the GOP itself.
Elon Musk, supported by tech figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, is clashing with MAGA loyalists who favor strict immigration policies without exceptions for high-skilled workers. They argue these workers are taking well-paying jobs from Americans.
Criticism flared when Laura Loomer called the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, a naturalized U.S. citizen, as Trump’s AI policy adviser “disturbing.” On X, Loomer claimed Silicon Valley’s support for Trump is driven by an agenda to protect H-1B visas, which tech companies heavily depend on.
Meanwhile, tech leaders who back Trump, like venture capitalist David Sacks, defended Krishnan. Sacks called the criticism unfair, noting that Krishnan is focused on AI policy, not immigration. “These attacks are crude and not in the holiday spirit,” Sacks wrote on X.
Musk, who benefited from the H-1B program early in his career, has hired hundreds of H-1B workers for Tesla. However, MAGA activists like Loomer argue Musk’s influence within Trump’s circle serves Silicon Valley’s interests. Loomer even claimed Musk’s new government efficiency initiative is a front to fund tech entrepreneurs.
The debate escalated when Ramaswamy posted on X, arguing that H-1B workers are needed because Indian culture values work ethic more than American culture. Indian workers received nearly 75% of H-1B visas in 2023, according to government data. Ramaswamy’s comment that American culture celebrates “prom queens over math champions” sparked backlash, including from Nikki Haley, Trump’s former U.N. ambassador.
“There’s nothing wrong with American workers or culture,” Haley responded. “We should prioritize Americans, not foreign workers.”
The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs, especially in tech. Some Republicans, including Musk and Ramaswamy, are pushing for reforms to reduce long wait times for green cards, particularly for Indian applicants.
While Trump has been vocal about illegal immigration, he has said little about his plans for legal immigration, leaving this issue a source of growing tension within his base.
