The social media company founded by former US President Donald Trump filed for an H-1B visa for the worker despite the US leader’s public criticism of the business visa program.
Trump sought to limit these visas during his presidency, and his aides still want him to do so if he becomes president again.
Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social, applied for an H-1B visa for a worker at a salary of $65,000, the lowest wage range allowed under the program, despite former President Trump’s past criticism of the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B visa application was filed in June 2022, and federal immigration data show the company was approved a few months later. However, the company claimed that they had not hired the worker.
“The company has never hired — and has no plans to hire — an H-1B visa program worker,” the Trump Media and Technology Group said, the AP reports.
“When the current management became aware of this application, which was created under the previous management, it quickly terminated the process in November 2022,” the company’s statement added.
Employers pay approximately $5,000 per person for an H-1B visa application. They can cancel these applications even after approval. The government does not always monitor visa cancellations. The Department of Labor found no record of Truth Social canceling their applications.
The H-1B visa program and Trump’s policies
The H-1B visa program, which is often used by tech companies, is a target of Trump’s policies. However, records show that his companies did not apply for H-1B visas until after the creation of Truth Social.
Despite Trump’s stance on immigration, his businesses have used the H-1B program in the past. However, exceptions were made during his presidency to restrict legal immigration.
In the 2016 primary debate, Trump criticized the H-1B visa program, calling it “very bad” and “unfair” for US workers. However, he admitted to using it for his businesses, saying “I shouldn’t be allowed to use it”.
“First of all, I think and I know the H-1B very well. And that’s something that I frankly use and I shouldn’t be allowed to use. We shouldn’t have that. Second, I think it’s very important to say, well, I’m a businessman and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do,” Trump said, reported by news agency AP.
During his administration, Trump issued an executive order called “Buy American and Hire American” aimed at prioritizing American workers in visa allocations. The order directed the amendment to ensure that H-1B visas are granted to applicants with the highest earnings or highest skills.
A study by the nonpartisan National Foundation for American Policy found that during Trump’s tenure, the government began asking for more details from companies hiring foreign workers and rejected more applications.
The ‘Project 2025’ handbook, compiled by supporters preparing for Trump’s new term as president, says the H-1B program should be transformed into “not only a mechanism to bring in the ‘best and brightest’ at a higher wage, but also It must be ensured that the program does not disadvantage US workers,” the AP news agency reported.
Wage Disparities in H-1B Visa Applications
The H-1B visa program has faced scrutiny for its impact on American workers and wage inequality. Companies are required to offer foreign workers the same benefits and wage rates as US workers.
While Trump’s company applied for the H-1B visa in the lowest salary range, Kushner’s investment firm applied for a visa with a salary of $200,000 meeting the highest salary level criteria.
Despite the controversy, experts suggest that the H-1B program benefits small companies and supports skilled labor in a variety of sectors.
“Winning the H-1B lottery actually helps them. It increases their chances of survival. They’re more likely to be active in the next five years, especially small firms that are heavily dependent on skilled labor,” said economist Nicholas Morales. was