Despite his public criticism of the H-1B visa program, former US President Donald Trump's social media venture, Truth Social, applied for an H-1B visa for a worker. This move is notable given Trump's previous attempts to limit the visa program, which he and his aides have deemed detrimental to American interests.
The application, filed in June 2022, sought an H-1B visa for a worker at a salary of $65,000, the lowest allowable wage under the program. Despite the approval of the application a few months later, the company claimed that it did not proceed with hiring the worker.
Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, emphasized that the application was initiated under prior management and was swiftly terminated upon discovery by current management in November 2022.
While Trump's businesses had not previously applied for H-1B visas, the creation of Truth Social marked a departure from this trend. Trump's public stance on immigration, including criticism of the H-1B program, has been well-documented. However, his businesses have historically utilized the program, albeit sparingly.
During his administration, Trump issued executive orders aimed at prioritizing American workers in visa allocations, reflecting his "Buy American and Hire American" policy directive. The aim was to reform the H-1B program to ensure that visas were granted to the most highly skilled and highest-paid applicants.
Despite controversies surrounding the program, experts note its benefits for small companies and its role in supporting skilled labor across various sectors. However, concerns persist regarding wage disparities and the impact on American workers.
In the context of Truth Social's application, the company's decision to seek an H-1B visa at the lowest wage level contrasts with other applications, such as one filed by Kushner's investment firm at a salary of $200,000, meeting the highest wage level criteria.
