The debate sparked on social media over H-1B, Indian immigrants and tech workers in the US. The reason behind is Elon Musk and Vivek Ramasway’s already ongoing social media war for hiring foreign born workers and H-1B visa policies. It has ignited a MAGA ‘civil war’ on X between Musk and the far-right activists over H-1B visas.
Over the need for skilled-worker immigration program, far-right activists clashed online with Elon Musk. This program has been lifeline for Silicon Valley. The ongoing debate is between Trump’s core nationalist base and technology executives. Both are advising President-elect Donald Trump on the US workforce policy.
H-1B visas to bring foreign skilled worker
The tech industry’s business relies on H1B visa to call foreign engineers and skilled worker every year from China, India and other nations. It has demanded more H-1B visa to attract workforce to the US. In 2020, administration restricted the program as it allows businesses to hire lower-paid foreign workers in replacement of the Americans.
The debate converted into full-fledge social media war when Elon Musk supported the tech industry’s need to bring in workers from other nations. He also once called foreign workers on H-1B visa and hired workers for his electric vehicle company Tesla. Ramaswamy posted on X that American culture “has venerated mediocrity over excellence.” She said that it is like leading to a nation that does “not produce the best engineers.”
Far right’s concerns
This week the debate touched off when a right-wing influencer, Laura Loomer, criticised the appointment of Sriram Kirshnan as an adviser on artificial intelligent. Loomer has history of such racist comments. The reason of opposing Krishnan was his inclination towards H-1B visa bring skilled immigrants into the US. She declared it “not America First Policy” and a way the tech executives want to enrich themselves.
It has bloomed into MAGA debate as the hard-right wing insisting on hiring American. They believe American culture can produce best engineers and they do not need immigrants from mediocre countries.
