Donald Trump Softens Stand on H-1B Visas, Says America Needs Skilled Foreign Talent

New York (The Uttam Hindu): In a surprising shift from his earlier hardline stance, U.S. President Donald Trump has admitted that America needs skilled foreign professionals to sustain its industries and technological growth. He stated that the country cannot rely solely on long-term unemployed citizens to drive progress.

In an interview with a news channel, Trump said that the U.S. industrial and defense sectors require people with specialized expertise. “I agree that we must raise wages for American workers, but we also need to bring in foreign talent. It’s essential to keep America at the forefront of global innovation,” he said.

Earlier, in September, Trump had signed an executive order increasing the H-1B visa application fee significantly. Under the new rule, the cost for new visa applications has surged from $1,500 to $100,000 (around ₹83 lakh). The rule applies to all new applications submitted after September 21 and to those entering the 2026 visa lottery. However, individuals who already hold visas or have applied earlier will not be affected.

When asked if there aren’t already enough talented people in the U.S., Trump replied, “No, there are certain skills we simply don’t have. You can’t just tell unemployed people to start building missiles—it requires experience and training.”

This statement marks a clear departure from Trump’s earlier position, where he often criticized foreign workers, claiming they posed a threat to American jobs. Now, however, he acknowledges that several sectors require years of training for locals, and until then, the U.S. must depend on skilled experts from abroad.