in an interview with the New York Post<\/a> on Saturday, praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S. The topic has become a flashpoint within his conservative base.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That\u2019s why we have them,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
In fact, Trump has in the past criticized the H-1B visas, calling them \u201cvery bad\u201d and \u201cunfair\u201d for U.S. workers. During his first term as president, he unveiled a \u201cHire American\u201d policy that directed changes to the program to try to ensure the visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants.<\/p>\n
Despite his criticism of them and attempts to curb their use, he has also used the visas at his businesses in the past, something he acknowledged in his interview Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have many H-1B visas on my properties. I\u2019ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It\u2019s a great program,\u201d Trump told the newspaper.<\/p>\n
He did not appear to address questions about whether he would pursue any changes to the number or use of the visas once he takes office Jan. 20.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s hardline immigration policies, focused mostly on immigrants who are in the country illegally, were a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and a priority issue for his supporters.<\/p>\n
But in recent days, his coalition has split in a public debate largely taking place online about the tech industry\u2019s hiring of foreign workers. Hard-right members of Trump\u2019s movement have accused Musk and others in Trump\u2019s new flank of tech-world supporters of pushing policies at odds with Trump\u2019s \u201cAmerica First\u201d vision.<\/p>\n
Software engineers and others in the tech industry have used H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers and say they are a critical tool for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated.<\/p>\n