FLORIDA — US President-elect Donald Trump voiced support for H-1B visas in a recent interview, siding with tech industry leaders like Elon Musk, despite past criticisms and a policy record aimed at limiting the program.

His comments have sparked division within his conservative base over the contentious issue of skilled foreign worker visas.

“I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the New York Post on Saturday.

He acknowledged his personal use of H-1B visas in his businesses, calling the program “great” and “useful.”

Trump’s statements mark a departure from his previous hardline rhetoric against the program.

During his first term, his “Hire American” policy sought to reform H-1B visas to prioritize higher-paid and more-skilled applicants, criticizing the system as “very bad” and “unfair” for American workers.

His new comments, however, suggest a softer stance as he prepares to assume office on January 20.

Trump did not address whether he plans to pursue changes to the program once in office, leaving uncertainty over his policy direction on skilled immigration.

The issue has exposed tensions within Trump’s coalition. Tech industry leaders, including Musk, argue that H-1B visas are essential for filling specialized roles, particularly in software engineering and other high-skill sectors.

Critics, including some hard-right members of Trump’s base, contend the program undercuts American workers and conflicts with Trump’s “America First” agenda.

The public debate highlights a growing divide among Trump supporters, with some viewing his alignment with the tech industry as a shift from the immigration policies that formed a cornerstone of his campaign.

As Trump navigates these competing priorities, his administration's approach to immigration and the H-1B visa program will remain a closely watched issue, particularly within his base and the tech industry. — Agencies