David Sacks, US President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for White House AI and Crypto Czar, said it’s time to “move forward as one team” with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as both advocated for reforms prioritising exceptional talent while curbing misuse of the H-1B visa program.
In a bid to address growing concerns over the H-1B visa program, Musk and Sacks shared their perspectives on improving the system.
Musk, known for his outspoken views, replied to a tweet that said, “America needs to be a destination for the world’s most elite talent. But the H-1B program isn’t the way to do that.” In response, the Tesla CEO wrote, “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically. I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.”
Sacks, a former PayPal executive, expressed agreement with Musk. “Elon has said that H1B should be overhauled, that it should focus on exceptional talent in high-value areas, and that the scams and low-pay jobs should end,” Sacks wrote. Acknowledging potential differences in their views, he added, “This is not to say there aren’t still differences but less than it first appeared. Time to move forward as one team.”
What are H-1B visas?
H-1B visas are temporary work permits issued to foreign professionals in specialised fields such as technology, medicine, education, law, and the arts. Although widely utilised by tech companies to hire engineers, the program also supports other sectors. The visa has been a point of contention, with Trump suspending it during his first term, citing its impact on American jobs. In contrast, the Biden administration streamlined the program to benefit employers.
The controversy
The H-1B visa program, aimed at attracting highly skilled foreign workers, has emerged as a divisive issue within Trump’s circle as he prepares for his second term. While tech leaders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy advocate for the program, some right-wing figures strongly oppose it, creating a rift among Trump’s allies.
The debate intensified with Trump’s decision to appoint Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence. Krishnan, an advocate for loosening immigration restrictions for skilled workers, has faced criticism from far-right figures like activist Laura Loomer, who labeled his appointment “deeply disturbing.”
Divisions in Trump’s inner circle
David Sacks launched a strong defense against critics targeting Sriram Krishnan, calling the backlash a “cabal” driven by misinformation and divisive agendas. Sacks wrote on X, “This whole cabal against Sriram is totally out of control. There’s no self-serving agenda whatsoever here, nor character flaws. We should celebrate people like Sriram who are going to leave so much $ on the table to serve the country. Enough of this nonsense.”
Elon Musk defended the H-1B program, arguing that the US has a “dire shortage of extremely talented engineers” and likening it to the recruitment of international athletes for the NBA. Similarly, Vivek Ramaswamy stressed the importance of valuing excellence over mediocrity, underscoring the need for skilled foreign workers.
However, critics like right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich accused tech leaders of exploiting the visa system and marginalizing American workers, further fueling the debate.
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