US President Donald Trump has eased his tone on immigration, admitting that America requires skilled foreign professionals in certain sectors. Speaking to Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump said that the country “has to bring in talent,” especially for complex roles in defence and technology.
When Ingraham argued that the US already has enough skilled people, Trump disagreed. He explained that many unemployed Americans lack the specific expertise needed for sensitive industries. “You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘We’re going to make missiles,’” he said.
Indian professionals continued to dominate the H-1B visa category in 2024, receiving over 70 per cent of approved applications. This trend stems from both a backlog in processing and India’s large pool of skilled workers.
The remarks come despite Trump’s earlier tough actions on immigration. In September, his administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications. The US Department of Labour also launched “Project Firewall,” probing companies accused of abusing the visa system.
Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for ending H-1B use in state universities, urging local hiring instead. Still, Trump’s latest comments suggest a growing recognition of America’s need for foreign expertise.
