Trump Reaffirms Support for Legal Immigration Amid GOP Demands to End H-1B Visas

US, Nov 20 : Trump backs legal immigration as he defends foreign tech workforce

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday strongly reiterated his support for legal immigration, arguing that foreign workers are essential for training Americans in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technology despite growing Republican calls to end the H-1B visa programme.

Speaking at the US–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, Trump said he would welcome “thousands of people” from abroad to help run and staff high tech industries, especially chip-making plants being built across the United States.

“You can’t come in, open up a massive computer chip factory for billions… and think you’re going to hire people from the unemployment line to run it,” Trump said. “They’re going to have to bring thousands of people with them. I am going to welcome those people.”

He added that these workers would “teach our people how to make computer chips and other things,” emphasising that the US lacks trained personnel in several high-tech sectors.

‘I may take a little heat… but this is MAGA’

Addressing criticism from conservative circles, Trump acknowledged that his stance could upset his political base.

“I may take little heat… I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA, and those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips,” he said.

Repeated defence of H-1B visas

Trump has repeatedly backed the H-1B visa programme in recent days.
On Monday, he told reporters that foreign skilled workers were required to help the US regain its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

“We don’t make chips too much here anymore… we have to train our people. We used to do it, and foolishly we lost that business to Taiwan,” he said.

In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham last week, Trump dismissed claims that the US has enough domestic talent. When she said, “We have plenty of talent,” Trump replied: “No, you don’t.”

Republicans push to ban H-1B visas

Trump’s remarks have intensified conflict within the Republican Party.
Several conservative leaders have demanded that the H-1B programme be scrapped altogether.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene reiterated her plan to introduce legislation to “ban H-1B visas in all sectors” except healthcare.

Congressman Andy Ogles wrote, “No more H-1Bs is a no-brainer. Let’s get it done.”

The White House defended its visa policies, saying the proposed $100,000 application fee for new H-1B petitions is designed to prevent system abuse.

Legal challenges and high stakes for Indian workers

The administration’s H-1B approach is facing multiple lawsuits, including one from the US Chamber of Commerce.

Indian-born professionals, who received over 70% of all approved H-1B visas in 2024, are expected to be most affected by any policy overhaul due to backlogs and the large number of skilled applicants from India.