Trump’s Clear Stand on H-1B Visas: Protect U.S. Jobs but Allow Needed Skills
The White House today clarified President Donald Trump’s position on H-1B visas, which allow U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in fields like technology and engineering. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s view is “balanced and practical.” His goal is to protect American jobs while still allowing foreign experts when necessary.
Leavitt said Trump doesn’t want companies to use H-1B visas to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Instead, he supports using the visas in special situations—for example, when foreign companies invest huge amounts of money to build advanced factories for computer chips, batteries, or defense equipment. In such cases, they may need to bring in experts from abroad at the beginning. These experts would then train American workers to run the factories, and later return to their home countries.
According to Leavitt, Trump’s message to foreign investors is simple: “If you do business in America, you must hire Americans.” Trump also admits that the U.S. currently lacks some specialized skills. “You can’t start a big chip factory with people who have never seen a chip,” he said recently, adding that he would allow thousands of skilled workers to come temporarily and train Americans.
This issue has caused debate within Trump’s own supporters. Many in the MAGA base want to end the H-1B program completely because they fear it lowers wages and sends jobs overseas. But big tech companies like Google and Microsoft depend heavily on it, and more than 70% of H-1B visas go to Indians. Earlier this year, Trump increased the visa fee to $100,000 to stop misuse, but now he appears more flexible, saying he’s willing to face criticism if it helps the U.S. stay competitive.
Critics argue the program still benefits corporations more than workers, and some business groups are challenging the new fees in court. Supporters say Trump’s updated approach fits his “America First” policy: expand manufacturing, create jobs, but always prioritize U.S. citizens.
As Trump’s second term continues, his position on H-1B visas could strongly influence future immigration policies. Leavitt concluded by saying Trump has worked harder than anyone to secure borders and protect American workers. For now, his policy walks a fine line—bringing in the skills needed to build America’s future while keeping U.S. jobs safe.
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