Trump says he’s a ‘believer’ in H-1B visas for skilled migrant workers as right-wing spar on immigration: report

President-elect Trump seemed to agree with Elon Musk in support of H-1B visas for skilled workers in the United States, as the real sparring on the ongoing immigration debate.

“I’ve always liked visas, I’ve always been in favor of visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump said. New York Post Saturday.

Trump said he recognizes the visas at his properties, saying, “I’ve believed in H-1B. I’ve used it many times. It’s a great program.”

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President-elect Donald Trump smiles during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on Dec. 22 in Phoenix. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Trump’s comments come as the right clashes over immigration and the place of foreign workers in the US labor market.

Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who has been tapped by Trump to lead his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), argued earlier this week that American culture has not prioritized education enough, which is why foreign labor is needed for tech companies like Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla.

Many tech companies have embraced the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, but critics of the program say H-1B holders are often chosen over U.S. citizens for jobs.

Conservative pundit Laura Loomer speaks to the media in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

One such critic, Laura Loomer, sparked a firestorm on X when she criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American venture capitalist, to be an AI policy adviser.

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In a post, she said she was concerned that Krishnan, a US citizen, would influence the Trump administration’s immigration policy.

“It is alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda,” she wrote.

Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk. (Getty Images/AP Images)

Musk has doubled down on his position, taking to X on Friday to blast a user who showed a video of him discussing SpaceX processes to go after the billionaire’s stance on the visa program.

“The reason I’m in America with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” Musk wrote on X.

He then went on to cite 2008 action comedy movie, “Tropic Thunder” which was a box office hit.

“Take a big step back and F— YOURSELF in the face,” Musk raged.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying a NASA spacecraft bound for Jupiter lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Oct. 14, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Ramaswamy has been similarly pro-H-1B visas, writing, “American culture has honored mediocrity over excellence.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Trump Transition Team for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.