What is H-1B as MAGA ‘civil war’ breaks out with Elon Musk and the far-right
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Elon Musk has become embroiled in a bitter row with some of Donald Trump’s right-wing supporters over immigration and the tech industry. The billionaire – who has been selected to head up the new Department of Government Efficiency – backs the H-1B visa programme and has called for more highly skilled workers in the industry.
![[FILE - Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, left, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump attend a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233605739-a325.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But hardliners among the president-elect’s Make America Great Again base have criticised the visas, saying they go against his hardline immigration policies. The ‘civil war’ touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration.
![['Ozempic Santa' Elon Musk appears at odds with Trump health secretary's mission Donald Trump Donald trump jr Elon Musk]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234308900-99d5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Krishnan favours the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the US. Loomer claimed the move was ‘not America First policy’ and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns.
![[FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk walks on Capitol Hill on the day of a meeting with Senate Republican Leader-elect John Thune (R-SD), in Washington, U.S. December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233078101-c341.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Loomer claimed Musk stripped her verified status and blocked her ability to gather paying subscribers over her opposition to the H-1B programme. The H-1B visa allows US firms to employ foreign workers in certain speciality roles. It is the largest visa category in terms of overseas worker numbers.
To qualify, an applicant must have a ‘theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge’, and a bachelor’s degree or higher in their field. They must also have been offered a temporary job by a US company offering a wage that cannot be lower than that paid to similarly qualified workers or below the prevailing wage for the job in the geographic area where that person will be working.
