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| This is the second time he has supported the H-1B programme that allows businesses in the US to employ skilled foreign nationals. (Photo: Reuters) |
New Delhi | By Tamsil Shahezad Khan - In a robust endorsement of the H-1B visa program, US President Donald Trump underscored the importance of bringing "very competent" and "great" people into the United States during a White House news conference on Wednesday.
Speaking alongside tech industry leaders including Oracle CTO Larry Ellison, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Trump highlighted the program's critical role in supporting businesses across various sectors.
"I like both sides of the argument, but I also like very competent people coming into our country," Trump said. "I don't want to stop – and I'm not just talking about engineers, I'm talking about people at all levels."
The President emphasized the program's versatility, noting its utility beyond technical roles. "Maitre d', wine experts, even waiters, high-quality waiters — you've got to get the best people," he remarked.
This marks the second time in a month that Trump has publicly backed the H-1B visa program. In late December, he described himself as a "believer in H-1B" during a telephone interview with the New York Post, stating he has "always been in favour of the visas."
The program has significant implications for Indian professionals. According to recent US Citizenship and Immigration Services data, Indians are the primary beneficiaries of H-1B visas. Between October 2022 and September 2023, 72% of nearly 400,000 visas issued went to Indian nationals.
The annual H-1B visa allocation stands at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals who have received higher education in the United States. Top Indian IT companies like Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro have secured approximately 20,000 visa approvals during the same period.
Trump's continued support for the program underscores a nuanced approach to immigration, balancing business needs with talent acquisition. "By bringing in quality people, we're expanding businesses, and that takes care of everybody," he concluded.
