New York: In a notable defense of the H-1B visa program, former President Donald Trump has stated that the United States must attract talented individuals from around the world because the country lacks “certain talents” needed for advanced industries. He argued that the needs of the high-tech sector cannot be met by hiring only American workers.
In an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Trump said, “To get higher wages, it’s okay to stop foreign workers, but America needs talent. We don’t have that specific talent required by modern industries.”
The Need for Specialized Skills
He illustrated his point with an example from Georgia, where attempts were made to replace South Korean workers at a battery manufacturing plant. However, he noted, it was “extremely difficult to find people trained like that.” Trump emphasized that industries like battery manufacturing, missiles, and high-tech are “not for ordinary laborers.”
Cracking Down on Abuse
The former president also detailed that his administration is taking strict measures to prevent misuse of the H-1B visa program. Under an executive order issued in September 2025, companies filing new H-1B petitions are required to pay an additional fee of $100,000.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor has recently initiated over 175 investigations into malpractices such as underpayment, fake worksites, and the practice of ‘benching’ employees.
A System for ‘Talented Foreigners’
Indian professionals, especially IT engineers and doctors, form the largest group of H-1B visa holders. Trump stated that the goal of these reforms is to create a transparent system for “talented foreign” individuals while simultaneously protecting American jobs.
