Trump Defends H-1B Visa Programme Despite Republican Pushback

President Donald Trump has once again voiced strong support for the H-1B visa programme, emphasising that the United States needs highly skilled foreign workers to remain competitive, especially in advanced industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and defence technology. Speaking with reporters, Trump argued that American workers must be trained by experts from abroad to rebuild industries that the U.S. previously dominated but eventually outsourced.

He reiterated his position during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, where he asserted that the U.S. lacks certain specialised skill sets, prompting the need for H-1B talent. When Ingraham suggested that America already has sufficient talent, Trump bluntly replied, “No, you don’t.” He emphasized that complex industries cannot simply recruit workers "off the unemployment line" for highly technical roles.

Trump’s remarks triggered intense debate within the Republican Party. Several conservative leaders, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for an outright ban on H-1B visas—except for medical fields—arguing that the programme takes away jobs and housing opportunities from Americans. Greene announced plans to introduce legislation blocking H-1B visas across most sectors.

The White House defended its approach, highlighting measures such as the newly implemented $100,000 application fee for sponsoring companies—intended to discourage visa abuse and ensure only genuinely high-skilled workers are brought in. The administration also launched “Project Firewall,” an initiative aimed at investigating companies misusing the visa programme.

Despite internal political opposition, the H-1B programme remains crucial for industries such as tech and engineering, with India-born professionals receiving more than 70% of approved visas in 2024. Legal challenges have also emerged, including lawsuits filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, urging the government to reconsider restrictive H-1B policies.

Trump maintains that the programme is essential for U.S. economic growth, especially as the country attempts to reclaim leadership in critical technologies once outsourced to nations like Taiwan.