Washington (US), November 25, 2025 —BNN Web Staff- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday reiterated President Donald Trump’s commitment to safeguarding American employment while continuing to welcome major foreign investments into the country.
Her remarks come at a time when the H-1B visa programme is under renewed scrutiny, with critics raising concerns that an influx of foreign workers may undermine job opportunities for Americans in specialised sectors.
Speaking with reporters, Leavitt stressed that Trump’s priority remains clear. “The President does not support American workers being pushed aside,” she said. “His focus is on reviving American manufacturing through strategic tariffs and strong trade agreements.”
Addressing questions about the administration’s approach to the H-1B programme, Leavitt described Trump’s position as “balanced and practical.”
She explained that the President recognises the need for foreign expertise—particularly when global companies invest billions in building advanced facilities in the U.S.
“In the initial phases of setting up factories, especially those producing highly specialised goods like batteries, companies may need skilled workers from abroad,” she said. “But ultimately, the President wants American workers to benefit from those jobs.”
Leavitt added that Trump has been clear with foreign companies seeking to establish operations in the U.S.: “He has told them directly—if you are doing business here, you must employ American workers.”
The President himself has recently defended the H-1B programme despite criticism from some conservative allies. At the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum on November 20, Trump argued that high-tech industries require specialised talent that cannot always be sourced immediately from the domestic workforce.
He noted that companies investing heavily in semiconductor plants and other advanced manufacturing cannot “open a multi-billion-dollar chip factory and hire people straight off the unemployment line to run it.”
According to Trump, foreign experts are often needed temporarily to train American employees before transitioning roles fully to the domestic workforce.
Responding to backlash from corners of the MAGA movement, Trump said some critics “simply don’t understand” the demands of cutting-edge industries. He insisted that supporting short-term high-skilled immigration is consistent with his “America First” vision.
Reiterating why the programme remains vital, Trump said, “You can’t expect someone without specific training to operate advanced machinery or build complex systems like missiles. Certain skills have to be brought in before they can be taught.”
His comments come as several Republican leaders intensify calls for the H-1B system to be dismantled—a move Trump has resisted, arguing that high-skill foreign workers are essential for keeping American industries competitive.
