'H1B makes America strong’: When Tesla CEO Elon Musk advocated for the visa program

Core Points - Elon Musk has long supported the H-1B visa as essential for attracting global talent and maintaining competitiveness in the U.S. economy [1][2] - Tesla Inc. is facing a lawsuit for allegedly favoring visa holders over American workers, having hired approximately 1,355 visa holders while laying off over 6,000 domestic workers [3][4] - The U.S. government has announced a significant fee increase for H-1B visas, which could impact hiring practices and job mobility for foreign workers, particularly in the tech sector [5][6] Group 1: H-1B Visa Advocacy - The H-1B visa is viewed as a vital tool for U.S. companies to recruit top global talent, as emphasized by Musk and Ramaswamy [1] - Musk attributes his success and that of many key personnel in companies like SpaceX and Tesla to the opportunities provided by the H-1B visa [2] Group 2: Tesla's Lawsuit - Tesla is accused of prioritizing visa holders to cut labor costs, leading to significant layoffs of American workers [3] - The lawsuit claims that Tesla's hiring practices constitute "wage theft," as visa-dependent employees are often paid less than their American counterparts [4] Group 3: H-1B Fee Increase - President Trump announced a fee increase for H-1B visas, potentially reaching up to $100,000 per foreign employee, aimed at encouraging the hiring of American talent [5] - The fee hike is expected to limit job mobility for Indian tech workers and may deter employers from sponsoring H-1B employees [6] Group 4: Dominance of Indian Nationals - Indian nationals represent 71% of approved H-1B visa petitions, with a significant portion employed in computer-related occupations, earning an average salary of $120,000 [7]