Eric Schmitt attacks ‘abuse’ of H-1B visa program, says Americans ‘Foreign replacements should not be trained’

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said H1-B visas are being “abused” in the United States. and argued that many American workers were forced to “Train replacements”

Schmitt made the comments on Fox News on Sunday with host Shannon Bream, who slammed Elon Musk’s push for more immigrant workers.

“I think there is an important and thoughtful debate taking place. But the context in which we have to do this is, I think, remember that American workers are being left behind by this economy. A lot of factory work is sent overseas,” Schmitt said.

“I think the abuse of the H-1B program is clear. Where you have the sons and daughters of unemployed factory workers. Got a white collar job as an accountant. And, you know, they’re training them. to replace foreign workers whose wages are being reduced,” he continued.

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Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., is skeptical about the H-1B visa program.

“So I think the solution that President Trump really articulated in 2020 was to reform that system. and eliminate violations Make it moral And make sure that we don’t undercut wages and have, you know, Americans train their foreign replacements,” he added.

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Schmitt went on to argue that the United States needs to “invest” more in American workers. as well as defending President Trump’s deportation plan.

Elon Musk defends the H-1B visa program that allows “skilled” foreign workers to be hired in the United States. (Nathan Lane/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“The idea of ​​deporting people who are here illegally is not a new idea. In fact, it is a policy in US law. Because, you know, for 200 years, if you came here illegally, you were detained “if you didn’t have a valid reason, like seeking asylum and so on.” Nine out of 10 asylum claims are fake,” Schmitt said.

He noted that “only in the last four years” have Democrats controlling the federal government refused to enforce existing laws.

Musk and DOGE partner Vivek Ramaswamy sparked a fight within MAGA with a proposal to increase immigration visas for highly skilled workers last week.

Ramaswamy argued on social media that American culture has glorified “ordinary people” for decades. And importing skilled workers from other countries is the solution.

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Trump restricted foreign workers’ access to visas during his first administration. and has criticized the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations.