In a significant reversal from his earlier tough stance on immigration, former US President Donald Trump has expressed support for the continued inflow of skilled foreign workers under the H-1B visa programme.
Speaking in an interview Trump emphasized the importance of bringing global talent into the United States to maintain its industrial and technological edge. During the discussion, Trump highlighted that certain sectors—specially manufacturing, technology, and defence – require specialized expertise that cannot be quickly developed within the existing American workforce.
“We also do have to bring talent into the country,” he said, responding to a question about whether H-1B reform would remain a top priority for his administration. When Ingraham pointed out that America already has a pool of talented professionals, Trump replied candidly, “No, you don’t. There are certain skills you don’t have, and people have to learn them. You can’t take people off the unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re going to make missiles.”
This statement marks a notable U-turn from Trump’s earlier policies that targeted visa restrictions and reforms for foreign professionals. His administration had previously launched a wide-ranging crackdown on the H-1B visa programme, which allows US companies – particularly in the tech sector, to employ skilled foreign workers, many of whom come from India.
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Policy
Trump’s shift in tone comes only months after he signed a proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” in September 2025. The proclamation introduced a massive fee hike for H-1B visa applications, mandating that all new petitions filed after September 21, 2025, be accompanied by an additional USD 100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.
The US State Department later clarified that this hefty new fee applies only to new applicants or companies entering the H-1B lottery after the specified date. Existing visa holders and petitions submitted before September 21 remain unaffected by the change. The new rule marks a steep jump from the earlier H-1B filing cost, which was around USD 1500.
A Strategic Shift in Trump’s Immigration Policy
Trump’s latest comments signal a strategic recalibration of his approach to skilled immigration. While he has long been an advocate of ‘America First’ policies aimed at protecting local jobs, his recent remarks suggest a recognition that foreign professionals play a crucial role in keeping the US competitive in global innovation and high-tech manufacturing.
Experts see this change as a pragmatic acknowledgment of economic realities. With sectors like AI, defence technology, and advanced manufacturing rapidly expanding, the demand for highly trained specialists continues to outpace the domestic talent pool.
By softening his rhetoric on H-1B visa reforms, Trump appears to be aligning more closely with the needs of US industries that rely heavily on foreign expertise to drive innovation and maintain global leadership. This new narrative and changed stance
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
