Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk has reversed his stance on the H-1B visa program, now calling for a “major reform” of the system just days after defending it vigorously. Musk, who had previously clashed with former President Donald Trump’s supporters over the issue, now labels the H-1B system as “broken” and advocates for significant changes.
On Sunday, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to state that the current H-1B program is dysfunctional and requires a major overhaul. The tech mogul suggested one of the easiest ways to fix the flaws in the system is by significantly raising the minimum salary requirement for obtaining an H-1B visa. According to Musk, this would make it more costly for companies to hire foreign workers compared to American citizens. He proposed adding a yearly cost for maintaining the visa, making it financially unfavorable for businesses to sponsor foreign workers.
Previously, Musk had defended the H-1B program, claiming that bringing top engineering talent to the U.S. was essential for the country to continue its technological dominance. In a fiery response to critics, Musk had even warned of a “MAGA civil war” over the issue, vowing to “go to war” to defend the program. However, his recent comments suggest he now believes the current system undermines American workers.
Musk’s proposed reforms could have significant ramifications for U.S. companies, especially in Silicon Valley, that rely heavily on H-1B workers, particularly those from India. The proposed changes could force businesses to reconsider their hiring practices and prioritize domestic talent. Critics of the H-1B program argue that it creates a system of indentured servitude by threatening workers with the loss of their legal status if they are fired by their employer.
It remains to be seen if Musk will actively push for these proposed reforms. His high profile and close ties to the incoming Republican administration may lend weight to calls for an overhaul. However, any attempt to restrict the H-1B program will likely face fierce opposition from the tech industry and immigration advocates, who argue that the program is crucial for attracting the world’s best talent.
