WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has made hardline immigration policies a signature issue but acknowledged on Wednesday that he’s been criticized for suggesting that some skilled immigrants should be allowed into the country, based on the input of his Make America Great Again supporters.
During his address at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump articulated that the U.S. needs immigrants capable of training American workers for jobs in high-tech factories, asserting that this position aligns with his political beliefs.
“I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA,” Trump said. He highlighted the importance of foreign skilled workers training Americans to produce essential technologies like computer chips.
The remarks received applause, yet drew criticism when Trump engaged in a contentious exchange with Fox News host Laura Ingraham. In response to Ingraham's concerns about importing vast numbers of foreign workers, Trump insisted that bringing in talent is necessary.
When Ingraham claimed that the U.S. had “plenty of talented people here,” Trump countered that the country is lacking skilled individuals and emphasized the need for education and training.
Despite pushback from some elements of the MAGA movement who oppose expanding H-1B visas, Trump maintained his position, describing his detractors as “really, really smart” but misguided regarding the need for skilled immigration.
Trump noted that for complex manufacturing sectors, like those producing computers and missiles, it isn't feasible to hire merely from the unemployed populace. He stated that foreign workers will be essential to setting up manufacturing plants in the U.S.
As an illustration, Trump referred to hundreds of South Korean nationals who were detained during a September raid at Hyundai's electric vehicle manufacturing site and have since returned to their jobs, addressing his commitment to allowing necessary foreign expertise into the workforce.
