Trump Advocates Expanding H-1B Visa Program to Include Various Skilled Workers
President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the H-1B visa program on Tuesday, stating that he is on “both sides” of the argument but emphasized his desire to broaden the scope of the program to include a wider range of skilled workers. In particular, Trump expressed interest in expanding the categories of individuals eligible for H-1B visas to include professions such as maitre d’s, wine experts, and high-quality waiters, in addition to the traditionally visa-restricted fields of engineering and technology.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialized roles in fields such as science, engineering, and information technology to address talent shortages. While the program has garnered support for facilitating the recruitment of highly-skilled professionals, some conservatives argue it has been misused to replace American workers with lower-wage foreign labor.
During a news briefing on his first full day in office, Trump remarked, “I like both sides of the argument, but I also like very competent people coming into our country, even if that involves them training and helping other people that may not have the qualifications they do.” He further added, “But I don’t want to stop. And I’m not just talking about engineers. I’m talking about people at all levels.”
Trump’s comments reflect a broader vision of immigration, wherein he advocates for bringing in top-tier talent across various fields, not just in technical areas. He explained that individuals in sectors such as hospitality—like maitre d’s, wine experts, and skilled waiters—could contribute significantly to the U.S. economy by enriching businesses and service industries.
The H-1B program, which currently grants 85,000 non-immigrant short-term work visas annually, primarily benefits workers from countries such as India. Most recipients fill positions in engineering, technology, and other specialized fields. Trump highlighted prominent figures such as Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, who all rely on highly skilled engineers to drive innovation and business growth.
Trump reiterated the importance of attracting “really competent people” to the U.S., stating that such talent not only benefits businesses but contributes to broader economic growth. “By doing that, we’re expanding businesses, and that takes care of everybody,” he said, suggesting that a diverse range of skilled professionals could bolster the U.S. economy.
While the debate surrounding the future of the H-1B visa program continues, Trump’s position underscores his broader approach to immigration, one that prioritizes attracting top talent across all sectors to maintain the U.S.’s competitive edge globally.
