Nikki Haley Weighs in on H-1B Visa Debate Amid Musk and Ramaswamy’s Push for Expansion

The former South Carolina Governor emphasizes investing in the American workforce first, while debates over skilled immigration intensify in the US political landscape.

Washington DC [US], December 28: Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has entered the ongoing debate surrounding H-1B visa allocations, joining tech billionaire Elon Musk, Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sriram Krishnan, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for White House AI Policy Adviser, in discussions on expanding the skilled visa program.

Reflecting on her time as Governor of South Carolina, Haley highlighted the success of attracting foreign investments to her state, reducing unemployment from 11% to 4%. She emphasized that the key to success was training local workers rather than relying on foreign employees.

“If the tech industry needs workers, invest in our education system. Invest in our American workforce. We must invest in Americans first before looking elsewhere. Don’t ever underestimate the talent of Americans or the American spirit,” Haley stated.

According to CNN, social media posts by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy advocating for an expanded H-1B visa program have ignited intense discussions within Trump’s support base about how such policies should align with the incoming administration’s immigration agenda.

The controversy intensified after Donald Trump announced Sriram Krishnan’s appointment as a White House policy adviser on artificial intelligence. Krishnan faced backlash for a previous social media post suggesting changes to immigration caps for green cards, calling it a crucial move to unlock skilled immigration opportunities.

Under current US laws, no more than 7% of green cards issued annually can be allocated to applicants from any single country. In fiscal year 2023, Indian nationals accounted for 72% of H-1B visa recipients.

While Trump supporters in the tech industry have shown support for increased immigration of high-skilled workers, figures like David Sacks, a prominent Trump ally and soon-to-be White House AI and Cryptocurrency Czar, defended Krishnan’s stance, clarifying that Krishnan was advocating for eliminating per-country green card caps, not removing all immigration limits.

Immigration remains a central issue in US politics, with President-elect Donald Trump pledging to crack down on illegal immigration while the current debate highlights the complexities surrounding legal immigration policies and the skilled labor force.

As the political discourse unfolds, the tension between prioritizing domestic workforce investments and addressing tech industry’s demand for skilled foreign talent continues to dominate discussions in Washington DC.