Washington DC [US]: Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the H-1B visa program, a contentious topic in U.S. immigration policy. Prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sriram Krishnan—President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for White House AI policy adviser—have recently called for expanding the program for highly skilled workers.
Haley, sharing her perspective on the issue, highlighted her approach during her tenure as Governor of South Carolina. She credited a significant drop in the state’s unemployment rate—from 11% to 4%—to her administration’s strategy of attracting foreign companies to invest in South Carolina without outsourcing jobs. Instead, the focus was on training South Carolinians for the newly created roles, leading to local workers producing high-tech products like planes and automobiles.
Emphasizing the need to prioritize American talent, Haley said:
“If the tech industry needs workers, invest in our education system. Invest in our American workforce. We must invest in Americans first before looking elsewhere. Don’t ever underestimate the talent of Americans or the American spirit.”
The debate gained traction after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy posted on social media in support of expanding the H-1B program. According to CNN, this has sparked discussions among Trump supporters about the future of the visa program within the administration’s broader immigration policies.
The controversy was reignited by President-elect Trump’s announcement of Sriram Krishnan as a White House AI policy adviser. Krishnan faced backlash for a previous post advocating for the removal of country caps on green cards and reforms to skilled immigration policies.
The Hill reported that, under current laws, no more than 7% of green cards can be issued annually to applicants from any single country. In fiscal year 2023, Indian workers accounted for 72% of H-1B visa recipients, prompting calls for reform.
While some Trump supporters in the tech industry voiced support for expanding opportunities for skilled foreign workers, others criticized the move, exposing divisions within the party’s stance on legal immigration.
David Sacks, a key Trump ally set to serve as White House czar for AI and cryptocurrency, defended Krishnan’s position, clarifying that his advocacy was for eliminating per-country caps rather than removing all immigration limits.
Immigration has remained a pivotal issue for American voters, particularly in the context of the 2024 U.S. Presidential elections. President-elect Trump has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration at the southern border and initiate a mass deportation effort. However, the debate over legal immigration, including the H-1B visa program, reveals deeper societal and political divisions, sometimes along anti-immigrant and racial lines.