Washington: US President Donald Trump appears to be easing his position on the administration’s strict H-1B visa policies, recognizing the importance of importing specialized foreign talent to fill critical roles in the American workforce.
During an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday, Trump defended the contribution of skilled immigrant workers, noting that certain high-complexity roles in sectors like manufacturing and defense cannot be quickly filled by long-term unemployed Americans without extensive training.
“I agree, but you also have to bring this talent,” Trump said when asked whether H-1B visa reform would remain a top priority. He emphasized that while raising wages for US workers is essential, maintaining the country’s industrial and technological edge requires access to international expertise.
Earlier this year, the President signed a proclamation overhauling the H-1B visa process. Under the new rules, new H-1B visa applications are subject to a $100,000 fee, a dramatic increase from the previous $1,500. The State Department clarified that this applies only to new petitions filed after September 21, including entries for the 2026 lottery. Current visa holders and petitions submitted before that date are unaffected.
Trump also addressed criticisms that the US has “plenty of talented people,” insisting that certain skills cannot be quickly developed domestically. Citing a case in Georgia, he noted that South Korean workers were essential in teaching local staff to manufacture complex and potentially hazardous products, such as batteries. “Making batteries is very complicated and very dangerous — a lot of explosions, a lot of problems,” he said, referring to ICE raids in September that resulted in the deportation of hundreds of South Korean workers at an under-construction Hyundai plant.
The President stressed that industries investing billions in new facilities cannot rely solely on untrained or long-term unemployed workers. “You can’t just take people off the unemployment line who haven’t worked in five years and expect them to start making missiles or complex products. It doesn’t work that way,” he said.
Trump’s comments represent a notable shift from his previous hardline stance on foreign worker visas, particularly the H-1B program, which has been a focal point of debate over immigration and US labor policy. Analysts suggest that the remarks may signal a more pragmatic approach balancing domestic employment priorities with the need for highly skilled talent.
