Elon Musk, a former immigrant, faces backlash for supporting foreign tech workers
Silicon Valley, USAThursday, January 2, 2025
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Billionaire Elon Musk, who once overstayed his visa in the U. S. , is now facing heat from some supporters of President-elect Donald Trump. Musk, who owns Tesla and SpaceX, has been advocating for more immigrant tech workers, arguing that there's a shortage of American-born engineers. He even tweeted that the U. S. could lose its competitive edge if it doesn't tap into global talent.
This hasn't gone down well with some of Trump's right-wing supporters. They argue that there are enough Americans to fill these jobs and that bringing in foreigners takes opportunities away from them. Some, like Laura Loomer, a Trump ally known for her racist comments, even deny that the U. S. needs skilled immigrant workers.
Musk's companies, however, rely heavily on immigration policies. Tesla alone has sponsored over 700 workers for H1-B visas, a type of visa for specialized workers. This is quite different from the immigration policies advocated by the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement.
It's worth noting that Musk is not alone in his stance. Some of Trump's advisors, like Sriram Krishnan, also advocate for more open immigration policies for skilled workers. But Musk's past comments against undocumented immigrants and asylum-seekers have caused controversy.
This situation raises important questions about how we view immigration, especially when it comes to filling skilled jobs. It also highlights the tension between those who see immigration as a threat and those who see it as an opportunity.