H1-B visas became a contentious issue among Trump supporters due to a split between those who support the visa, like Elon Musk, and those who oppose it, led by Laura Loomer. The debate centered around whether H1-B visas are being abused and if they take jobs away from American workers. Trump later supported Musk's stance, temporarily calming the controversy.
The annual quota for H1-B visas is 85,000, with 65,000 available to all applicants and an additional 20,000 reserved for those with a master's degree or higher. The visas are distributed through a lottery system due to high demand, with only a 14.6% chance of being selected in recent years.
Indian outsourcing companies exploit the H1-B visa system by having multiple employees apply for the same position, increasing their chances of winning the lottery. Some companies even allow one applicant to be listed under multiple companies, further skewing the odds in their favor.
Opponents of the H1-B visa system argue that it is being abused by companies to hire cheap foreign labor, which they claim takes jobs away from American workers. They also criticize the system for allowing low-wage positions, such as cooks and gas station attendants, to be filled by H1-B visa holders.
Elon Musk supports H1-B visas, arguing that they are essential for attracting skilled workers to the U.S. His influence in the debate was significant, as he countered the opposition led by Laura Loomer and other MAGA supporters. Musk's stance was later backed by Trump, which helped to temporarily resolve the internal conflict among Trump supporters.
Potential reforms for the H1-B visa system include replacing the lottery system with a merit-based points system, eliminating country caps for green cards, and cracking down on abuse by outsourcing companies. These changes aim to make the system fairer and more efficient in attracting highly skilled workers to the U.S.
The H1-B visa system impacts U.S. companies by creating uncertainty in hiring foreign workers, as they must go through a lottery system with no guarantee of success. Companies often prefer hiring U.S. citizens or green card holders to avoid the additional costs and legal complexities associated with sponsoring H1-B visas. However, many tech companies rely on H1-B workers to fill specialized roles.
过去的一周,川普支持者之间出现了一场令人费解的撕裂,H1-B签证成为了这场争议的导火索。支持H1-B签证的马斯克誓言要与以Laura Loomer为首的反对派进行坚决斗争。几天后,川普出面支持马斯克的立场暂时平息了这场争论。在今天的节目中,我们将与大家聊聊围绕H1-B签证的争议,包括H1-B签证的滥用问题、它是否真的夺走了美国本地人的就业机会,以及合法移民政策改革的可能性等议题。欢迎大家收听,同时祝愿大家2025年新年快乐。