PALM BEACH: US President-elect Donald Trump has signaled strong support for skilled immigration, underscoring the importance of attracting competent foreign workers to the United States. During a New Year's Eve event, Trump addressed questions about his stance on H-1B visas, affirming his position on the need for skilled professionals.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump stated, "I didn't change my mind. I always felt we have to have the most competent people in our country," emphasizing the significance of skilled immigration. The H-1B visa program, which allows skilled foreign professionals to work in the US, especially in sectors like technology, is a key focus of this discussion.

"We need competent people. We need smart people coming into our country... We're going to have jobs like we've never had before," Trump added, hinting at potential policy shifts to facilitate foreign talent entry into the US workforce.

Elon Musk, the influential owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X, has also voiced his support for the H-1B visa program. Musk has highlighted the essential role that foreign talent plays in bolstering American innovation and maintaining the country's competitive edge in technology and other sectors.

The comments from Trump, who has previously been associated with an anti-immigration stance, are particularly notable as they come during ongoing discussions about the possibility of automatically granting green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges. This potential policy change could significantly impact the landscape of skilled immigration in the United States.