Eric Schmitt and Ro Khanna Express Support for H-1B Visa Reform Amid GOP Immigration Disputes
Last week, the Republican party was shaken by intense debates regarding the program and immigration issues as a whole.
TroibNews 
A Democrat from Silicon Valley and a Republican Senator are advocating for changes to the H-1B Visa program, which tech companies utilize to attract thousands of highly-skilled foreign workers annually.
“So I think the solution here, President Trump has actually articulated this in 2020, is to reform that system and get rid of the abuses, make it merit-based, and make sure that we're not undercutting wages, and having Americans train their foreign replacements,” Sen. Eric Schmitt shared during an interview with “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream.
The discussion surrounding the program and immigration issues intensified within the Republican party last week, creating tensions between tech innovators like Elon Musk, David Sacks, and Vivek Ramaswamy, and figures such as Nikki Haley and far-right activist Laura Loomer, along with many within the MAGA faction. President-elect Donald Trump recently indicated his support for the program.
“Take a big step back and F--K YOURSELF in the face,” Musk expressed on X Friday. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly understand.”
His remarks followed Loomer’s post on X, which seemed to equate the H-1B visa to “substituting a third world migrant invasion for a third world tech invasion."
This divide surfaces as the push for higher-skilled immigration grows stronger in discussions between tech lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. Musk and his supporters are at the forefront of encouraging undecided Republican officials.
During his first term, Trump’s administration imposed stricter regulations regarding H-1B eligibility and mandated that companies pay higher wages to visa holders, actions that drew criticism from the tech sector. The program was temporarily halted during the pandemic.
“You see qualified Americans being denied a lot of these jobs because a company can go out and hire cheaper labor from a foreign country,” Schmitt noted.
Musk, previously an H-1B recipient, has consistently advocated for the issue on his social media platform. Both Musk and Ramaswamy, who are co-runners of Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, have encountered strong opposition from MAGA hardliners regarding their support for skilled immigration.
During his conversation with Bream on Sunday, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised high-skilled immigration while calling for reforms to the H-1B program.
“One of the points that I think Elon and others are making is what makes America as exceptional is that we are a magnet for the world's talent,” Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley in Congress, stated. “It's great that Elon Musk comes here. It's great that Jensen [Huang], who started NVIDIA, is doing it here and not in Taiwan.”
However, critics from both political parties have condemned the H-1B program for leaving high-skilled workers uncertain about their immigration status and for inadequately compensating them.
“You can’t underpay these H-1B folks coming in,” Khanna remarked. The program “shouldn’t be for accountants or entry-level IT jobs. It should really be for exceptional talent. We should have that balance,” he added.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
“So I think the solution here, President Trump has actually articulated this in 2020, is to reform that system and get rid of the abuses, make it merit-based, and make sure that we're not undercutting wages, and having Americans train their foreign replacements,” Sen. Eric Schmitt shared during an interview with “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream.
The discussion surrounding the program and immigration issues intensified within the Republican party last week, creating tensions between tech innovators like Elon Musk, David Sacks, and Vivek Ramaswamy, and figures such as Nikki Haley and far-right activist Laura Loomer, along with many within the MAGA faction. President-elect Donald Trump recently indicated his support for the program.
“Take a big step back and F--K YOURSELF in the face,” Musk expressed on X Friday. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly understand.”
His remarks followed Loomer’s post on X, which seemed to equate the H-1B visa to “substituting a third world migrant invasion for a third world tech invasion."
This divide surfaces as the push for higher-skilled immigration grows stronger in discussions between tech lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. Musk and his supporters are at the forefront of encouraging undecided Republican officials.
During his first term, Trump’s administration imposed stricter regulations regarding H-1B eligibility and mandated that companies pay higher wages to visa holders, actions that drew criticism from the tech sector. The program was temporarily halted during the pandemic.
“You see qualified Americans being denied a lot of these jobs because a company can go out and hire cheaper labor from a foreign country,” Schmitt noted.
Musk, previously an H-1B recipient, has consistently advocated for the issue on his social media platform. Both Musk and Ramaswamy, who are co-runners of Trump's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, have encountered strong opposition from MAGA hardliners regarding their support for skilled immigration.
During his conversation with Bream on Sunday, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna praised high-skilled immigration while calling for reforms to the H-1B program.
“One of the points that I think Elon and others are making is what makes America as exceptional is that we are a magnet for the world's talent,” Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley in Congress, stated. “It's great that Elon Musk comes here. It's great that Jensen [Huang], who started NVIDIA, is doing it here and not in Taiwan.”
However, critics from both political parties have condemned the H-1B program for leaving high-skilled workers uncertain about their immigration status and for inadequately compensating them.
“You can’t underpay these H-1B folks coming in,” Khanna remarked. The program “shouldn’t be for accountants or entry-level IT jobs. It should really be for exceptional talent. We should have that balance,” he added.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
