Washington DC - In a robust endorsement of the H1B visa programme, US President Donald Trump underscored the importance of attracting highly competent international talent across various sectors during a White House news conference on Wednesday.
Speaking alongside tech industry leaders including Oracle CTO Larry Ellison, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Trump articulated a nuanced stance on immigration, highlighting the critical role of skilled foreign professionals in driving business expansion.
"We want competent people coming into our country," Trump declared. "I'm not just talking about engineers, I'm talking about people at all levels – maitre d's, wine experts, high-quality waiters. You've got to get the best people."
This marks the second time in a month that Trump has publicly championed the H-1B visa programme. In late December, he described himself as a "believer in H-1B" during a telephone interview with the New York Post, emphasizing his long-standing support for the visa system.
Key Highlights
- Acknowledged the programme's importance across multiple professional levels
- Stressed the need for "very competent" and "great" international talent
- Highlighted the programme's role in business expansion
The statistics underscore Trump's point. Between October 2022 and September 2023, Indian nationals were the primary beneficiaries, receiving 72% of the nearly 400,000 H-1B visas issued. Top Indian IT companies like Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro secured approximately 20,000 visa approvals during this period.
The Congressional-mandated programme allows 65,000 initial visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals who have received higher education in the United States.
Trump's continued advocacy for the H-1B programme signals a potentially significant approach to skilled immigration, balancing economic needs with talent acquisition strategies.
Tags
USA