White House says Donald Trump supports restricting H-1B visas, stresses hiring…

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump is committed to protecting American jobs while encouraging foreign investment in the United States.

The comments come at a time of increased scrutiny on H-1B visas and concerns that foreign labor could displace domestic jobs in key sectors.

Speaking to reporters, Leavitt said: “The President does not support replacing American workers… The President wants to see the American manufacturing industry come back better than ever. That’s part of what he does by using tariffs effectively and making good trade deals around the world.”

Addressing concerns related to H-1B visas, she said the President holds a “nuanced and common-sense” view. Leavitt explained: “When it comes to the H-1B visa issue, the President has a very nuanced, common-sense view on it. If foreign companies are investing trillions of dollars in the United States and bringing in foreign workers to create niche products like batteries, he wants to see that at the beginning, get the manufacturing plants and factories up and running. But ultimately, the President always wants to see American workers in those jobs.”

Leavitt stated that Trump contacted foreign companies investing in the USA directly and said, “He told the foreign companies investing here that if you are going to do business in the USA, you should hire my people.”

Recently, Trump defended the H-1B visa program, stating that he “loves his conservative friends and MAGA” but believes the United States needs skilled foreign workers.

Speaking at the US Saudi Investment Forum on November 20, he pushed back against criticism from within his own political base.

Trump argued that companies that invest heavily in advanced facilities “can’t open a massive computer chip factory worth billions of dollars” and then “hire people off the unemployment line to run it,” and emphasized that foreign experts are often required to train American workers before they leave.

Despite opposition from some MAGA supporters, Trump has argued that high-skilled immigration is essential. “They don’t understand,” he said, voicing frustration from some of his base, while acknowledging tensions over expectations for a tougher “America First” approach.

Strengthening his claim, Trump said, “You can’t open a huge computer chip factory worth billions of dollars like they did in Arizona and hire people from the unemployment line to run it. They will have to bring thousands of people with them and I will welcome those people. This is MAGA.”
He repeated, “They don’t understand.”

Trump added that specific information must be shared so that American workers can fully assume certain roles. “People have to be taught that this is something they’ve never done before. But we won’t be successful if we don’t allow the people who have invested billions of dollars in plant and equipment to bring in large numbers of people from their countries to open, operate and get this plant up and running. I’m sorry.”

He also argued that the H-1B system remains necessary for industries that rely on expertise that is not readily available domestically. Defending his position, he said: “No, you don’t. You don’t have certain skills… You can’t take people off the unemployment line and expect them to run advanced factories or build missiles.”
Trump’s comments come as some Republican leaders increase pressure on him to repeal the program, although Trump continues to support the need for high-skilled foreign workers.

(This story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)