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Trump Reaffirms H‑1B Support, Citing Need to Train U.S. Chip Workforce as GOP Rift Widens

The White House frames a new $100,000 H‑1B surcharge as a first step to curb abuse.

Overview

  • On Monday, President Trump said H‑1B workers are needed to help train Americans in semiconductor manufacturing as domestic production ramps up.
  • He argued the industry shifted to Taiwan, predicted a U.S. chipmaking rebound within a few years, and denounced the CHIPS Act as a disaster.
  • Republicans including Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned his position, with Greene vowing a bill to phase out or ban H‑1B visas.
  • The White House underscored Labor Department "Project Firewall," an enforcement initiative targeting companies suspected of abusing the H‑1B system.
  • The policy approach faces lawsuits, including one from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has stirred diplomatic concerns as India-born workers received over 70% of 2024 approvals.