A heated online debate over immigration policy exposed a growing divide between Donald Trump’s Silicon Valley supporters and his staunch anti-immigration base, a sign of the challenges the president-elect will face over his signature policy issue. The debate was sparked when technology executives who supported Trump’s campaign voiced their desire to increase the number of high-skilled visas, only to face sharp criticism from conservative factions. The dispute highlights a central tension that may continue to surface during Trump’s second term, particularly over issues like taxes, trade, and government spending.
The controversy began after far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an India-born investor, as a senior adviser. Loomer objected to Krishnan’s previous advocacy for expanding access to green cards and skilled worker visas, accusing the effort of conflicting with Trump’s “America First” policy. The criticism prompted counterarguments from key Trump allies, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who argued that U.S. companies need to recruit global talent to stay competitive. Musk, who himself used an H-1B visa, emphasized the shortage of engineering talent in the U.S., likening the need for skilled foreign workers to the recruitment of foreign NBA players.
Ramaswamy further fueled the debate with a post criticizing American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence. He argued that the country should place more value on intellectual achievement and scientific competition, a stance that sparked a strong backlash across the political spectrum. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley disagreed, stating that the focus should be on investing in American workers and culture, not relying on foreign workers. Conservative figures such as Loomer, Gavin Wax, and Owen Shroyer claimed their verification badges were removed from Musk’s platform, alleging retaliation over their stance on the issue.
The debate echoed the struggles of Trump’s first term, when his son-in-law Jared Kushner proposed an immigration overhaul that prioritized high-skilled workers while limiting green card allocations and eliminating family-based immigration preferences. However, the proposal failed to gain traction in Congress. Earlier this year, Trump appeared to soften his stance on immigration, suggesting that college graduates should automatically receive green cards. This latest controversy underscores Trump’s malleability on policy specifics, as his supporters and allies continue to lobby for changes in the administration’s approach to immigration.
