Donald Trump is not yet in the White House when certain dissensions are already arising within his coalition. Elon Musk, the boss of Tesla, defends the importance of visas reserved for qualified foreign workers, considering these workers essential to the success of the United States. A position which provokes an outcry among the anti-immigration conservatives in the president-elect’s coalition.
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H-1B visas allow businesses to bring foreign workers with specific qualifications to the United States. Sesame is widely used by Silicon Valley, and Elon Musk – himself who arrived from South Africa with this visa – is a fervent defender of the possibility of using qualified foreign labor.
The richest man in the world, who became a close ally and financial supporter of Donald Trump stated that “ attracting the top 0.1% of engineering talent through legal immigration is essential for America to keep winning “. This message ignited the powder on social networks and in the sphere of ultra-conservative Trumpists.
The Tesla boss was responding to the statements of Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy influencer close to Donald Trump, reports our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki. She strongly criticized the president-elect’s choice to appoint Sriram Krishnanan Indian-American entrepreneur, to a key position on artificial intelligence at the White House.
This exchange between Elon Musk and Laura Loomer gave rise to what the American media are now calling a civil war between Donald Trump’s allies over the issue of the H-1B visa.
The billionaire Vivek Ramaswamyappointed by Donald Trump alongside Elon Musk at the head of a commission to slash state spending, also defended the use of foreign workers who bring with them the right “ culture » in companies in the United States.
Donald Trump, opposed to the H-1B visa during his first campaign in 2016
Big bosses, particularly in Silicon Valley, consider this visa vital for their companies. “ There is a real shortage of talented and motivated engineers in the United States », insisted Elon Musk.
“ A position in contradiction with Donald Trump’s migration schedule », replied Laura Loomer who calls for protecting the president from billionaires. She received the support of several Republicans and Stephen Miller, future deputy director of Donald Trump’s cabinet.
During his first campaign for the White House in 2016, Donald Trump expressed his opposition to H-1B visas, which he admitted to using himself within his companies, but which he described as “ very unfair to our workers » Americans. And he had put in place certain restrictions on these visas when he came to power, before they were lifted by the Biden administration.
Today, the president-elect remains silent on the subject for the moment.
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