“You Don’t Have Talent in the US”: Trump’s Surprising Softening on H-1B Visas

Vikrant Gungash
Nov 13, 2025
3 min read

By Vikrant Singh, November 13, 2025

In a surprising shift, former U.S. President Donald Trump has softened his long-standing stance on H-1B visas, admitting that the United States needs to bring in skilled workers from abroad to fill key roles in industries like technology, manufacturing, and defense.

During an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Trump defended the visa program he once targeted for reform, saying America cannot simply train its way out of complex workforce shortages.

“We also do have to bring talent into the country,” Trump said.

When pressed on whether the U.S. lacks homegrown talent, Trump doubled down:

“No, you don’t. You don’t have certain talents, and people have to learn.”

The comment marks a notable reversal for the former president, who during his earlier term championed tighter immigration controls and tougher scrutiny of the H-1B program — a system widely used by U.S. tech companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals, particularly from India.

From Crackdown to Caution

Trump’s remarks come just months after his administration introduced one of the most controversial visa changes in recent memory: a $100,000 additional fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025.

The Proclamation on the Restriction of Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, issued in September, was billed as a step toward “reforming” the H-1B system. The move sparked concern among tech firms, universities, and healthcare providers, many of which depend on foreign talent to fill critical roles.

Following widespread criticism, the U.S. State Department clarified that the new fee applies only to new H-1B petitions and future lottery entries after September 21 — not to current visa holders or applications already in progress.

Why Trump’s Reversal Matters

The H-1B visa has long been a cornerstone of America’s innovation economy, allowing employers to bring in skilled workers in fields such as software engineering, data science, research, and medicine.

For years, Trump positioned himself as a critic of the program, calling it a threat to American jobs. But his recent acknowledgment that “the U.S. doesn’t have certain talents” suggests a pragmatic turn — one that recognizes the global competition for high-skilled labor.

The shift could also be a strategic recalibration ahead of the 2026 election season, reflecting growing concern among U.S. business leaders about the consequences of overly restrictive immigration policies on economic growth and technological leadership.

A Win for Indian Professionals?

For Indian professionals, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders, Trump’s comments could signal a more measured approach going forward. Many have been caught between tightening regulations and rising costs, with Canada and other countries actively positioning themselves as friendlier destinations for global tech talent.

If Trump’s softened tone translates into policy changes, it could ease pressure on thousands of skilled workers — and on U.S. companies struggling to find qualified candidates domestically.

The Bottom Line

Donald Trump’s latest remarks mark an unexpected turn in the ongoing debate over skilled immigration.

After years of tightening the screws on the H-1B program, the former president now seems to recognize what U.S. employers have been saying all along — that America’s competitiveness depends on attracting, not excluding, the world’s brightest minds.

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