Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) ramps up his attacks on tech billionaire Elon Musk over H-1B visas, saying he's “completely wrong” about employment visas. .
in Editorial published Wednesday Speaking on Fox News, Sanders highlighted ongoing discussions about H-1B visas and other guest worker programs as President-elect Trump prepares to implement his immigration plan.
The H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant work permit that has become part of the political debate.
Some say the visas attract specialized talent to the U.S., while others say the program allows employers to hire abroad and pay workers less than they would if they hired Americans.
Musk, who was tapped to co-direct President Trump's Office of Government Efficiency, defended the visa program, saying it allows businesses to hire needed workers who can't be found domestically. Musk's social platform X slammed his opponents during the debate, and Trump voiced support for the program.
In his op-ed, Sanders highlighted the ongoing debate over the work plan and Musk's comments.
“Billionaires like Elon Musk argue that the United States faces a shortage of highly skilled engineers and technical professionals, and that they are critical to our economy. Yes,” Sanders wrote. “They're totally wrong.”
Sander said the H-1B visa is not intended to hire the “best and brightest,” but instead replaces American workers with people who are paid lower wages or who “often live as indentured servants.” “It is intended to replace people.
“The cheaper it is to hire guest workers, the more money billionaire owners and big companies make,” Sanders said.
He argued that the program could harm American workers and threaten the livelihoods of H-1B visa holders who complain of unfair working conditions.
“If there really is a major shortage of skilled technology workers in this country, Tesla laid off more than 7,500 American workers at its Austin, Texas, factory last year, including many software developers and engineers. , why did they apply to hire thousands of people at the same time? -1 billion guest workers?'' Sanders wrote.
This is not the first time Sanders has criticized Musk on this issue. In a statement last week, Sanders wrote to X that Musk was wrong about the visa program.
