Conservative commentator Bill Mitchell has criticized a segment of the MAGA movement for spreading false claims about the H-1B visa program. Some members of the movement allege that the program is being exploited to bring Indian workers into the U.S. for low-skilled jobs like store clerks. Mitchell strongly refuted this, stating that H-1B visas are meant for educated professionals with specialized skills, not for low-wage or unskilled positions.
Mitchell condemned certain MAGA influencers for misrepresenting facts to provoke anti-immigrant sentiments. He warned that such rhetoric could damage the movement’s integrity and mislead the public. Mitchell emphasized that banning the H-1B program would be disastrous for America’s tech industry, which heavily depends on specialized foreign talent.
President Donald Trump’s recent defense of H-1B visas at a high-profile investment forum sparked backlash from parts of his MAGA base. While Trump argued that foreign experts are essential for training Americans and developing advanced industries, some supporters insisted on prioritizing native-born workers.
This disagreement has revealed a growing divide within the MAGA movement—between nativist factions seeking to limit skilled immigration and pro-business conservatives who view H-1B workers as valuable contributors to national economic growth.
Mitchell defended the program by highlighting its role in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing, where specialized knowledge is crucial. He stressed that portraying H-1B workers, primarily from India, as low-skilled is both incorrect and harmful.
Many Indian professionals in the U.S. on H-1B visas now find themselves caught in the crossfire of U.S. immigration debates, facing both political hostility and uncertain policies, despite their significant role in strengthening America’s talent-driven economy.
