Trump Backs H-1B Visas, Admits US Faces Talent Shortage for Crucial Roles

Trump Backs H-1B Visas, Says US Lacks Skilled Workers for Key Industries.

US President Donald Trump has come out in support of the H-1B visa programme, saying the United States “doesn’t have the talent” needed to fill crucial high-skill jobs. In an interview with Fox News, Trump rejected the claim that the domestic workforce is sufficient to meet industry demands.

“I agree—but you also do have to bring in talent,” Trump said, responding to concerns that H-1B visas hurt American workers. When host Laura Ingraham insisted that there were plenty of skilled Americans, Trump interrupted, “No, you don’t … You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re going to make missiles.’”

Points to Georgia Factory Raid
Trump cited a recent ICE raid at a Hyundai battery facility in Georgia — where hundreds of South Korean contractors were detained — to illustrate the country’s dependence on foreign technical expertise. “Making batteries is very complicated … You’re going to need that,” he said.

Tighter Visa Rules Despite Support
Even as he defended the need for foreign professionals, Trump’s administration has introduced sweeping reforms to the H-1B system. A new $100,000 application fee for fresh petitions aims to curb “visa misuse” by companies, though businesses and universities say it will make hiring harder.

The government has also proposed a new lottery system that prioritises higher-paid or more specialised applicants — a change the Department of Homeland Security says will reward merit and limit wage undercutting.