Trump's flip-flop over H1B lands him in controversy

Image
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Mar 04 2016 | 1:42 PM IST
Republican presidential front- runner Donald Trump today stoked another controversy when he said he has softened his stance on H-1B visas for highly- skilled workers, but took a U-turn soon by vowing to abolish the visa programme, popular among Indian techies.
"I'm changing. I'm changing. We need highly skilled people in this country, and if we can't do it, we'll get them in. But, and we do need in Silicon Valley, we absolutely have to have," Trump, 69, said during the Republican presidential debate in Detroit.
Responding to a question on his views on immigration in particular highly skilled people, Trump said America needs highly skilled professionals.
Trump's website, however, calls for eliminating the H1-B class of visas that allow companies to import high-skilled workers from countries like India.
"We do need highly skilled, and one of the biggest problems we have is people go to the best colleges," Trump said.
"They'll go to Harvard, they'll go to Stanford, they'll go to Wharton, as soon as they're finished they'll get shoved out. They want to stay in this country," he said.
"They want to stay here desperately, they're not able to stay here. For that purpose, we absolutely have to be able to keep the brain power in this country," Trump said in response to a question.
"So you abandoning the position on your website?..." he was asked.
"I'm changing it, and I'm softening the position because we have to have talented people in this country," Trump said.
However, within an hour of his statement, which was interpreted differently by immigration experts, Trump clarified his position.
"The H-1B programme is neither high-skilled nor immigration: these are temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay," Trump said.
"I remain totally committed to eliminating rampant, widespread H-1B abuse and ending outrageous practices such as those that occurred at Disney in Florida when Americans were forced to train their foreign replacements," he said in his statement.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio immediately slammed Trump for his policy change.
"Tonight Donald Trump finally took an actual position," Rubio said in a statement provided by his campaign.
"But as soon as the debate was over, his handlers made him reverse himself. The Republican nominee cannot be somebody who is totally clueless on so many issues, including his signature issue," he said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 04 2016 | 1:42 PM IST

Next Story