Missouri Republican Sen. Eric Schmidt says H1-B visas are being “abused” in the United States, and says many American workers are having to “train replacements.”
Schmidt made the comments on Fox News Sunday with host Shannon Brehm, objecting to pressure to… More migrant workers than Elon Musk.
“I think there's an important and thoughtful discussion going on right now,” Schmidt said. “But the context we have to consider here, I think, is that American workers have been left behind by this economy. Many factory jobs have been sent overseas.” .
“I think the abuses of the H-1B program were clear, where there are sort of sons and daughters of factory workers who lost their jobs, got white-collar jobs as accountants, and they, you know, train their employees,” he continued. “The substitutes are foreign workers whose wages are being reduced.” .
GOP senators 'very impressed' with Musk and Ramaswamy Doge's framework amid meetings on Capitol Hill
Sen. Eric Schmidt, R-Missouri, questions the H-1B visa program.
“So I think the solution is here President Trump “What was really made clear in 2020 was to reform this system, get rid of the abuses, make it merit-based and make sure that we don't underpay, you know, that Americans train their foreign replacements.” He added.
Schmitt went on to say that the United States needs to “invest” more in American workers, as well as defend President Trump's deportation plans.
Elon Musk has defended the H-1B visa program that allows “skilled” foreign workers to be hired for jobs in the United States. (Nathan Lin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The idea of deporting people who are here illegally is not a new concept. In fact, the policy in United States law, for 200 years, you know, is that if you come here illegally, you will be detained if you don't,” Schmidt said. “You don't have a good reason, like asylum, and by the way, nine out of ten asylum applications are false.”
He stated that “only in the last four years” have Democrats who control the federal government refused to enforce existing laws.
Musk and DOGE peer Vivek Ramaswamy ignited a fight within MAGA with his proposals to increase immigrant visas for highly skilled workers last week.
Ramaswamy argued on social media that American culture has glorified “mediocrity” for decades and that importing skilled labor from other countries is the solution.
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Trump restricted access to foreign worker visas during his first administration and criticized the H-1B visa program, which allows American companies to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations.
