Elon Musk calls H-1B visa system ‘Broken’ after ‘War’ warning

Elon Musk, days after vowing to “go to war” for H-1B visas, called the system “broken” and in need of “major reform.” The H-1B visa program, crucial for bringing skilled foreign workers to the U.S., has recently sparked debate among tech leaders and political figures.

Musk, who immigrated from South Africa on an H-1B visa, reiterated his stance on the program during a post on X. He responded to a user who criticized the visa system, stating that it could be easily fixed. His solution: raise the minimum salary and introduce yearly costs for maintaining the H-1B, making it more expensive to hire overseas talent than domestic workers. Musk believes that attracting elite engineers is essential for America’s success.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American tech entrepreneur set to join Donald Trump’s administration, echoed Musk’s views. Ramaswamy criticized U.S. culture for favoring mediocrity over excellence, pointing out that celebrating “prom queens” over “math olympiad champions” harms America’s innovation potential.

The debate heated up after right-wing influencer Laura Loomer criticized Trump’s choice of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American entrepreneur, as an adviser on AI policy. Loomer and other far-right figures, like Ann Coulter and Matt Gaetz, accused Musk and Ramaswamy of prioritizing foreign workers over American jobs. Loomer even suggested that Krishnan’s goal was to replace American workers with foreigners.

Musk didn’t back down, calling Loomer’s accusation baseless. He warned of a “MAGA civil war” and doubled down on his commitment to the H-1B program, even swearing at one critic. His statements highlight a growing rift between tech leaders and conservative voices over immigration policy.

Former President Donald Trump has publicly sided with Musk, showing strong support for the H-1B visa system. Despite his previous efforts to limit the program during his presidency, Trump reaffirmed his belief in the value of H-1B visas for U.S. businesses. He told The New York Post that he has always supported the program and sees it as a great way to bring skilled talent to America.

The clash over the H-1B visa program continues to stir tensions, as Musk, Ramaswamy, and Trump push for reform, while critics on the right warn against foreign influence.