Trump Defends Need for Skilled Foreign Workers Amid Immigration Crackdown

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump defended the need for skilled foreign workers in an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday night. He stated that the United States lacks workers with specific talents needed to fill jobs domestically.

When Fox News host Laura Ingraham suggested that the U.S. has plenty of talented workers, Trump disagreed, saying, “No, you don’t, no you don’t … you don’t have certain talents, and people have to learn.” He emphasized that simply taking unemployed individuals and putting them into specialized jobs, such as those in missile manufacturing, would not work.

Trump pointed to a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia as proof of the country’s need for skilled foreign labor. He explained that the raid resulted in the arrest and deportation of hundreds of South Korean contractors who had years of experience in battery manufacturing.

“Making batteries is very complicated. It’s not an easy thing. Very dangerous, a lot of explosions, a lot of problems,” Trump said. “They had about 500 or 600 people, in early stages, to make batteries and to teach people how to do it. Well, they wanted them to get out of the country.”

Two weeks ago, Trump discussed his administration’s immigration policies while traveling to South Korea, mentioning that he had been escorted by federal officers during immigration enforcement operations at U.S. worksites.

In September, Trump signed an executive action imposing a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, a program intended to bring skilled workers into the U.S. The H-1B visa allows companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.

Despite Trump’s comments, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a long-time supporter, expressed her disagreement on social media, stating, “I believe in the American people. I am one of you.” Greene expressed concerns about American workers being replaced by foreign labor.

In a response to her criticism, Trump remarked that Greene has “lost her way” and is now “catering to the other side.” This exchange highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party as they navigate immigration and labor issues.

During the interview, Trump also defended the enrollment of Chinese students in U.S. universities, arguing that engagement with foreign nationals is beneficial, though he noted concerns about Chinese espionage.

This interview accentuates ongoing debates about immigration policy and labor needs as the administration continues to enforce strict immigration measures.