President Donald Trump delivered a message this week that many in his MAGA base didn’t want to hear: the U.S. needs skilled immigrants, and he intends to support their entry.
Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at The Kennedy Center, Trump defended visas for highly trained foreign workers, arguing that American companies cannot always find the talent they need at home. He referenced the massive semiconductor expansion in Arizona by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), saying the company will bring thousands of workers to launch its U.S. chip operations — and that he welcomes them.
“I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA,” Trump said. “But this is MAGA, and those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips. And soon enough, Americans will be doing it too.”
Trump acknowledged the political risk:
“My poll numbers just went down,” he joked. “But with smart people, they’ve gone way up.”
A Public Split With His Hardline Supporters
Trump’s remarks mark one of his strongest public defenses of legal immigration — especially high-skilled workers — creating friction with the more restrictive wing of his party. Nearly a year after returning to office, Trump continues to argue that legal immigration is essential for economic growth, frustrating MAGA-aligned lawmakers who want deep cuts across the board.
“The people who are against us are very smart,” Trump said. “They’re patriots. But they just don’t understand — our people have to be taught.”
For many on the far right, Trump was expected to sharply reduce all immigration because of concerns about job loss or demographic change. His recent comments on Fox News, where he said Americans lack “certain talents” needed in the modern economy, reignited backlash among conservative immigration hawks.
Caught Between Two Sides
Trump now finds himself stuck between two factions:
- Hawks who want the H-1B system overhauled or dramatically reduced
- Businesses and tech industries insisting the U.S. needs both low- and high-skilled foreign workers
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the H-1B program, saying it takes jobs from Americans. Others pointed to Trump’s recent move imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applicants as proof that he is trying to limit the program’s scale. The administration also launched new investigations into H-1B misuse.
The White House emphasized Trump’s efforts to prioritize American workers, including stricter immigration enforcement and reforms to the H-1B process.
A Softer Stance Emerges
Despite a tough public posture on immigration, Trump has periodically taken positions that anger his MAGA supporters. He drew backlash earlier this year after pledging support for farmers who rely on undocumented workers. He also reversed course on revoking Chinese student visas, ultimately allowing 600,000 Chinese students to remain in U.S. universities.
Trump’s recent remarks also contrast with Vice President JD Vance, who argued the U.S. should use technology to support American labor instead of relying on foreign workers.
Business Interests at the Center
Trump’s ties to major tech firms — some of the biggest H-1B sponsors — may play a role. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, all heavy users of the H-1B visa, contributed significantly to Trump’s political efforts and supported major projects like the $300 million ballroom replacing the East Wing.
“He’s hearing about this from all of those folks,” a source close to the administration said.
Legislative Uncertainty
Trump’s pro-business stance may complicate any effort to pass immigration reform in Congress. Lawmakers such as Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Jim Banks continue to push legislation to restrict the H-1B program, restructure visa lotteries, and eliminate the Optional Practical Training program. But progress will be difficult without alignment from the White House.
“There’s an election coming,” said Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. “There’s a lot of messaging about protecting American workers — but now Congress needs to act.”
