Elon Musk’s old tweets on H-1B visas have resurfaced as the Trump administration pushes forward with its latest crackdown on the programme, introducing a one-time $100,000 fee on new petitions. The move has reignited debate about the scheme, which allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in technology and engineering.
Musk, who himself first worked in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, has long been outspoken about the system. In December, responding to a critic of the programme on his platform X, he wrote: “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
In follow-up posts, Musk acknowledged flaws in the system but argued for reform rather than abandonment. “No question that the H1B system needs to be overhauled,” he wrote. He went on to suggest, “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically. I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.”
The White House insists its latest measures are designed to curb abuse of the visa system, which it says has displaced American workers. Officials highlighted that the share of IT workers on H-1Bs has more than doubled since 2003, while unemployment among recent computer science graduates has risen to 6.1%. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the new fee would “discourage companies from spamming the system and driving down wages,” while giving businesses that genuinely need skilled workers “certainty.”
Confusion initially followed the announcement, with widespread panic among Indian professionals who make up a large share of H-1B holders. Many feared that renewals and re-entries would also carry the steep new charge. However, the administration has since clarified that the $100,000 applies only to new petitions filed after September 21 and not to renewals, current holders, or those re-entering the country.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the policy as a test of value, telling reporters, “Either the person is very valuable to the company and America, or they’re going to depart, and the company is going to hire an American. Valuable people only for America. Stop the nonsense.”
Musk, who himself first worked in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, has long been outspoken about the system. In December, responding to a critic of the programme on his platform X, he wrote: “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.”
The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024
Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot…
No question that the H1B system needs to be overhauled
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024
Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2024
I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.
In follow-up posts, Musk acknowledged flaws in the system but argued for reform rather than abandonment. “No question that the H1B system needs to be overhauled,” he wrote. He went on to suggest, “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically. I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform.”
The White House insists its latest measures are designed to curb abuse of the visa system, which it says has displaced American workers. Officials highlighted that the share of IT workers on H-1Bs has more than doubled since 2003, while unemployment among recent computer science graduates has risen to 6.1%. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the new fee would “discourage companies from spamming the system and driving down wages,” while giving businesses that genuinely need skilled workers “certainty.”
Confusion initially followed the announcement, with widespread panic among Indian professionals who make up a large share of H-1B holders. Many feared that renewals and re-entries would also carry the steep new charge. However, the administration has since clarified that the $100,000 applies only to new petitions filed after September 21 and not to renewals, current holders, or those re-entering the country.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the policy as a test of value, telling reporters, “Either the person is very valuable to the company and America, or they’re going to depart, and the company is going to hire an American. Valuable people only for America. Stop the nonsense.”
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