Trump Reaffirms Backing for H-1B Visa, Vows Major US Chip Manufacturing Comeback

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has once again supported the H-1B visa program, saying that foreign skilled workers are important because they help train American workers. He said that although the US now produces very few semiconductor chips, the country will restart large-scale chip manufacturing within the next year. For this, Americans will need to relearn chip-making. Trump added that the US once led this industry but mistakenly allowed Taiwan to take over its dominance.

Last week, during an interview with Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham, Trump again defended the H-1B program. When asked if his administration plans to reduce the importance of this visa, Trump said that the US must bring in talented people from abroad because some specialized skills are not available domestically. He explained that unemployed workers cannot simply be placed into advanced missile-manufacturing facilities, as such work requires specific expertise.

After Trump’s comments, several Republican leaders demanded that the H-1B program be shut down. The White House later clarified that the new $100,000 visa application fee is meant to prevent misuse and is the first major step in tightening the system. A White House spokesperson told IANS that President Trump has done more than any modern president to strengthen immigration laws and prioritize American workers.

Spokesperson Taylor Rogers also highlighted “Project Firewall,” launched to investigate companies that violate H-1B regulations. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she would introduce a bill to ban H-1B visas in all sectors except healthcare, claiming that such a move would create more job opportunities for Americans and help them afford housing.

Several lawsuits have also been filed against the government’s policy. On 31 October, five US lawmakers wrote to Trump urging him to reconsider his order, saying it could negatively affect India-US relations. In 2024, more than 70% of approved H-1B visas were issued to Indian professionals, as the number of highly skilled applicants from India remains very high.