POLITICO Tech Silicon Valley vs. MAGA: Why immigration is splitting Trump's camp
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Jan 8, 2025 Brendan Bordelon, a POLITICO tech reporter, unpacks the clash between Silicon Valley and immigration restrictionists within Trump's camp. He discusses how tech companies rely on foreign talent to fill critical STEM roles and the resulting political friction as Trump supporters grapple with high-skilled immigration. Bordelon highlights tensions rising during debates, particularly around the hiring of AI experts and H-1B visas. He also analyzes the complexities of Trump's immigration policies and what they mean for the tech industry's future.
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Tech's Reliance on Foreign Talent
- Tech companies struggle to hire enough American tech experts.
- They often rely on immigrants with green cards or H-1B visas to fill the gap.
Trump's Conflicting Immigration Stance
- Trump's stance on high-skilled immigration seems positive, despite past restrictions.
- He has verbally supported stapling green cards to diplomas, potentially benefiting foreign STEM graduates.
Tech's Optimism Under Trump
- The tech industry sees an opportunity under Trump to recruit more foreign-born workers.
- Trump's unique position might allow him to persuade immigration restrictionists to accept high-skilled immigrants.