In a rare defence of the H-1B visa programme, US President Donald Trump said the United States needs to bring in skilled foreign workers to fill critical talent gaps — a notable shift in tone less than two months after his administration sharply raised visa fees, sparking panic among expatriates, including thousands of Indians.
Appearing on Fox News, Trump was asked if the H-1B visa, which allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals, would continue to be prioritised despite criticism that it could suppress wages for American workers.
“I agree, but you do also have to bring in talent,” Trump replied. When the interviewer pushed back, saying, “We have plenty of talented people here,” Trump interrupted: “No, you don’t.” He elaborated, “You don’t have certain talents. People have to learn. You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re going to make missiles.’”
His remarks — rare for an administration known for its restrictive immigration stance — come amid backlash over the September 19 proclamation that hiked the annual H-1B visa programme fee to an unprecedented USD 100,000 per worker. The policy sent shockwaves through the US tech industry and expatriate community, especially Indians, who make up more than 70% of H-1B holders.
The order stated that both new applicants and renewing employees could be denied entry unless their employer paid the revised amount. However, the White House later clarified that the fee applied only to fresh applicants, not existing visa holders.
Trump’s administration has repeatedly justified the increase as part of its “America First” agenda, aimed at tightening immigration and reducing dependence on foreign labour. Still, the President’s latest comments appear to acknowledge the shortage of specialised skills within the US workforce — particularly in advanced manufacturing, defence technology, and semiconductor sectors.
During the same interview, Trump cited the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Hyundai battery facility in Georgia in September, where over 300 South Korean workers were detained. “They wanted illegal immigrants out. But these were people who made batteries all their lives. Making batteries is very complicated — not an easy thing,” Trump said. “You’re going to need that.”
The incident strained US–South Korea relations, prompting Seoul to launch a probe into alleged human rights violations during the raid. During his visit to South Korea last month, Trump told reporters he was “very much opposed” to the way the raid was conducted.
While critics view Trump’s new tone on H-1B as politically convenient ahead of policy negotiations, industry leaders say his remarks reflect the practical reality of America’s talent gap, particularly in high-tech and engineering sectors where foreign expertise remains indispensable.
