Most Americans oppose increasing the number of foreign workers through the H-1B visa program. According to a Rasmussen Reports survey, 60% believe the US has enough domestic talent. This sentiment is powerful among Republicans. While figures like Elon Musk advocate for program reforms, others resist expansion. President-elect Trump supports the program.
Amid the ongoing debate over the H-1B visa program, a new Rasmussen Reports survey indicates that most Americans believe the US already possesses sufficient skilled workers for white-collar jobs, thus reducing the need for additional foreign workers.
The November survey, conducted among 1,000 likely voters, underscores widespread public resistance to expanding the H-1B program.
According to the survey, 60% of Americans believe the U.S. has sufficient domestic talent to meet the demand for white-collar jobs, reducing the need for foreign worker programs. This view is extreme among Republicans, with 72% expressing opposition. Similar sentiments were echoed by 63% of swing voters and 47% of Democrats, while only 26% of respondents supported expanding the program.
Large companies like Amazon, Google, and Tesla have relied on H-1B visas to fill key positions. These visas allow temporary residency and employment for foreign workers in the US. While some argue that the program addresses critical labor gaps, others claim it undermines opportunities for American workers and suppresses wages.
MAGA Divide Over H-1B Policy The H-1B program, which allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles, has sparked intense debate among MAGA leaders. Tech advocates like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy argue for program expansion to address labor shortages. At the same time, traditional MAGA voices such as Steve Bannon, Nikki Haley, and Laura Loomer oppose the move.
Musk emphasized the program’s role in meeting workforce demands, with companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Tesla benefiting significantly from H-1B hires in 2024. However, he has also called for reforms to make H-1B hiring more expensive, ensuring it doesn’t become a pathway for cheap labor.
Trump’s Stand on H-1B Visas President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his support for the H-1B program despite earlier restrictions implemented during his first term. “I’ve always liked the visas; I’ve always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said, noting that his businesses have extensively used H-1B visas.
The divide became more pronounced after Trump nominated Musk and Ramaswamy to co-lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sparking further criticism from immigration hardliners within the MAGA coalition.
Source: The Economic Times