Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly challenged Elon Musk’s support for the H-1B visa program, arguing that it exploits foreign workers and undermines American jobs.
What Happened
Sanders disputed Musk’s claim that the H-1B visa program is necessary to hire top talent. Instead, he asserted that the program’s primary function is to replace well-paying American jobs with low-wage foreign workers. Sanders stated, “The cheaper the labor they hire, the more money the billionaires make.”
The Impact of H-1B Visas
According to Sanders, the top 30 corporations using the H-1B program have laid off at least 85,000 American workers while hiring over 34,000 H-1B guest workers. He also cited Census Bureau data, which suggests that millions of Americans with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math are not working in related professions.
Examples of H-1B Visa Use
Sanders questioned whether H-1B jobs are truly going to the “best and brightest” by pointing out that Musk’s Tesla Inc has employed guest workers as associate accountants for as little as $58,000 and associate mechanical engineers for as little as $70,000 a year. He also asked why Tesla laid off over 7,500 American workers this year if there is a shortage of skilled tech workers in America.
Proposed Reforms
Sanders believes that the H-1B visa program should only be used as a “very short-term and temporary approach.” He supports raising the minimum wage for guest workers and allowing them to easily switch jobs. Additionally, he advocates for requiring corporations to aggressively recruit American workers before hiring from overseas.
Why It Matters
Musk’s support for the H-1B visa program aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s backing of the initiative. However, this stance has sparked controversy among Trump’s far-right base, with some arguing that it undermines American workers.
The Tech Sector’s Stance
The tech sector, including influential figures like Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has long championed the H-1B visa program. They argue that it enables U.S. companies to hire thousands of foreign engineers and specialists annually. However, this stance has ignited a social media firestorm among Trump’s supporters.