WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has made hardline immigration policies a signature issue, but acknowledged on Wednesday that he’s been criticized for saying some skilled immigrants should be welcomed into the country.
Trump told an audience of business executives that the U.S. needs immigrants who can train domestic workers in high-tech factories, insisting that doing so aligns with his core political beliefs.
“I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA. But this is MAGA,” Trump stated during his address at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, attended alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Those people are going to teach our people how to make computer chips, and in a short period of time, our people are going to be doing great. And those people can go home.”
The comments received applause, yet Trump faced pushback from media figures such as Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who suggested during an interview that the influx of foreign workers could overwhelm the American job market. Trump countered her argument by asserting that talent is essential and that the U.S. lacks enough skilled workers.
When Ingraham claimed the U.S. has plenty of talented individuals, Trump disagreed, mentioning that “people have to learn” and reaffirmed the need for external expertise.
The exchange triggered swift criticism from some sectors of the MAGA movement that oppose expanding H-1B visa programs and similar initiatives aimed at facilitating skilled immigration.
Trump did not waver in his stance, describing his critics as “really, really smart” but misinformed regarding the need for skilled immigration. “They’re unbelievable patriots,” he remarked. “But they just don’t understand our people need to be taught.”
He highlighted the complexities of running high-tech domestic plants, stating that it is impractical to expect unskilled workers to manage such operations. He also commented on foreign ownership of plants, noting that they would necessitate bringing skilled workers from abroad.
As evidence, he referenced a recent immigration raid involving South Korean nationals at a Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia, emphasizing his belief that stopping the exodus of skilled workers was crucial for advancing American industries.
