An old tweet by Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer, has resurfaced following new U.S. policies concerning H-1B visas. The tweet, posted just six days before Kirk was tragically shot and killed at a college event in Utah, voiced his strong opposition to immigration from India.
Specifically, Kirk tweeted on September 2nd, “America does not need more visas for people from India.” He further elaborated, stating, “Perhaps no form of legal immigration has so displaced American workers as those from India. Enough already. We’re full. Let’s finally put our own people first.”
This statement comes in the wake of Donald Trump signing a proclamation that mandates companies to pay an annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visas for foreign employees. Kirk’s remarks were a response to a tweet by television presenter Laura Ingraham, who expressed skepticism about trade deals with India requiring increased visa allocations.
H-1B visas are designed for highly skilled foreign professionals, typically in sectors like technology, who possess at least a bachelor’s degree. The recent policy change, which includes a significant fee hike, has raised concerns, particularly among those in the IT sector.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick commented on the new policy, emphasizing the importance of training American graduates and prioritizing them for jobs. This sentiment was echoed by others, highlighting a focus on ‘training Americans’ and preventing foreign nationals from ‘taking our jobs’.
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Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on H-1B visas sparks worries about ‘Indians in IT sector’