Trump Doubles Down on H-1B Visas: Even as MAGA Base Roars in Protest

In a striking appearance at the US–Saudi Investment Forum, former President Donald Trump made a bold case for bringing in highly skilled foreign workers, even as his “America First” supporters erupted in dissent. His comments reflect a sharp tension within his political coalition, pitting economic pragmatism against nationalist rhetoric.

As always, our EB-1A consultants have zoomed in on this important piece of news and highlighted some key moments you will absolutely want to know.

A new kind of MAGA?

Speaking before a high-powered audience of U.S. and Saudi business leaders, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Elon Musk, Trump argued that a foreign workforce is essential in building America’s future. “You can’t come in, open a massive computer-chip factory for billions and billions of dollars … and think you are going to hire people off an unemployment line to run it,” he said. “They are going to have to bring thousands of people with them, and I’m going to welcome those people.”

He framed the argument partly as a mentorship program: these high-skilled workers will “teach our people how to make computer chips … and other things.”

“This is MAGA,” He says

Trump didn’t shy away from admitting that his remarks would anger long-time conservative and MAGA allies. “I may take a little heat … I love MAGA. But this is MAGA,” he insisted, doubling down that his vision is consistent with his movement’s goals.

That message struck a chord with critics within his base. Many have accused him of abandoning the “America First” agenda by championing high-skilled immigration.

Backlash from the right

In recent interviews, Trump has defended his pro-immigration pivot, arguing that certain roles in the tech and manufacturing sectors simply cannot be filled by domestic talent alone. “There are certain skills you don’t have … people need to learn,” he told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. He also challenged the idea that unemployed Americans could staff futuristic factories overnight.

MAGA hard-liners were less than impressed. Some took to social media, saying Trump had “sold out” nationalist principles. Others went on the warpath, accusing him of catering to “globalist donors” instead of everyday Americans.

More than just jobs: A bigger question about America’s future

At its core, the debate isn’t only about visas or factories: it is a test of competing visions for America’s future. For Trump, the case is clear: if the U.S. wants to regain technological leadership, it must welcome global talent. But for many of his base, that openness feels like a betrayal of the populist, native-first message that first drew them in.

As this internal rift grows more visible, it underscores a larger tension within the GOP: can Trump square his economic ambitions with the nationalist values that helped build his base? Or is this the beginning of a deeper reckoning over what “MAGA” actually means today?

For more immigration updates and the weather of the international immigration landscape, stay tuned to our blog section. We are regularly publishing our updates, insights, and more.

Sources & further readings

1. The Times of India.“MAGA Grills Donald Trump over H-1B Shift: ‘POTUS Turned His Back on Americans.’”The Times of India, November 2025.
2. India Today. “Donald Trump Backs H-1B Visa Workers; Musk and Ramaswamy Agree as Laura Loomer Attacks MAGA Immigration Debate.” India Today, December 29, 2024.
3. The Washington Post.“India Watches as MAGA Revolt Erupts over H-1B Visa Workers.” The Washington Post, January 7, 2025.