Washington DC [US]: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for the H-1B visa program, which allows US employers to hire nonimmigrant workers for specialized occupations. Trump emphasized the program’s importance in attracting “competent” and “great” individuals to strengthen the US economy and bolster various industries.
Addressing the media at The White House on Tuesday, Trump underlined the necessity of skilled individuals in driving economic growth.
“You got to get the best people… We have to have the quality people coming in. By doing that, we’re expanding businesses, and that takes care of everybody,” Trump stated.
The President highlighted the wide range of roles covered under the H-1B visa program, including engineers, maitre d’s, wine experts, and high-quality waiters, and noted their contributions to the growth of US businesses.
“I like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping others who may not have the same qualifications. I’m not just talking about engineers—I’m talking about people at all levels,” Trump added.
Trump’s remarks reflect a shift in his administration’s stance, which initially imposed restrictions on H-1B visas citing “abuse” and concerns over economic strain. Notably, during his first term, Trump criticized the program, describing it in 2016 as a tool for replacing American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
In December, Trump acknowledged the program’s significance, calling it a “great program” and admitting to its use for staffing his own properties. According to a report by the New York Post, he praised its role in attracting skilled workers essential to the success of businesses.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the administration tightened restrictions on H-1B visas, citing economic challenges. Despite this, Trump’s recent remarks suggest a renewed focus on leveraging the program to attract top talent from abroad to support economic recovery and expansion.