California, 1 January 2025 – As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Silicon Valley’s top executives are among the first to seek his favor, with some, like Google and Meta’s CEOs, rushing to his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Their urgency is driven by concerns over the future of the H-1B visa program, which allows skilled foreign workers in fields like technology and engineering to come to the U.S.
Elon Musk, one of Trump’s new allies, has voiced strong support for the H-1B program, despite opposition from parts of Trump’s MAGA base, which generally opposes immigration. Musk’s backing underscores the importance of the program to business leaders who argue that skilled workers are crucial to sustaining the U.S. economy, especially in tech-heavy states like California.
In fiscal 2024, California, by far the largest user of the H-1B visa, saw over 78,000 approvals for new and continuing employment, with more than 9,600 employers seeking H-1B workers. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), nearly one-third of these visas went to tech companies in the Bay Area, underscoring the industry’s reliance on skilled labor.
Trump has long been a supporter of the H-1B visa. In an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, he reiterated his belief in the program, stating, “It’s a great program. I’ve always liked the visas; I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” Trump added, “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times.”
While his support for the H-1B visa is clear, Trump has also suggested he favors reforming the broader immigration system, proposing a shift toward a merit-based model.
This would involve a points system, similar to those in Canada and Australia, prioritizing academic achievements and employability. As the nation awaits potential reforms, the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain, with business leaders and policymakers closely watching Trump’s next moves.
