Elon Musk Reignites Debate on H-1B Visa Program, Calls it 'Broken' and in Need of Reform

Technology companies rely on it to employ tens of thousands of workers each year from India and China, among other places.

The industry has been pushing for more H-1B visas to help bring highly skilled workers to the US. Once an H-1B himself, Musk has his electric vehicle company Tesla hire people using the programme.

"Anyone - of any race, creed or nationality - who came to America and worked like hell to contribute to this country will forever have my respect. America is the land of freedom and opportunity. Fight with every fibre of your being to keep it that way!" he wrote on X on December 28.

Musk's comment also found support from president-elect Donald Trump whose first administration capped the program in 2020, citing that it enables firms to substitute Americans with cheaper foreign workers. However, Trump recently said: "I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas.". That's why we have them. Musk has been persistently posting on X in favor of the program. There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent. It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley, Musk wrote on December 25 on X. Several of Trump's supporters and immigration hardliners have been increasingly pushing for scrapping the H-1B visa programme amid debate over immigration.

The controversy started when Laura Loomer, a right-wing influencer, attacked Trump's choice of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his incoming administration. Krishnan is in favor of the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the US.

Loomer declared the stance to be "not America First policy" and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Criticising American culture for its support for mediocrity over academics, excellence, and merit-based success, the debate escalated when Ramaswamy said: "Trump's election hopefully marks the beginning of a new golden era in America, but only if our culture fully wakes up.

A culture that once again prioritises achievement over normalcy; excellence over mediocrity; nerdiness over conformity; hard work over laziness.". This comment, however sparked a backlash against him.

In reaction, Musk called for ridding the Republican Party of "contemptible fools" who oppose his immigration agenda. Later on, he clarified his statement that it was arguing against the "hateful, unrepentant racists" whom he deems a threat to the future of the Republican Party.