My Letter to the WSJ Editors on the H1B Visa and Skilled Immigration
Eliminating skilled-immigration programs won’t make America great again
Those who have followed my writings and ideas know that I have consistently criticized the current U.S. immigration system and advocated for meaningful reforms that prioritize merit. I firmly believe in a balanced approach to legal immigration that recognizes the valuable contributions of skilled foreign workers while also creating opportunities for American workers.
A recent debate on X.com has highlighted the H-1B visa, a temporary work visa for specialized skilled workers from abroad. Some voices called for not just the elimination of the H-1B visa but for a complete halt to skilled immigration. They argued that employers should prioritize U.S. citizens—those born here or who have deep family ties to this country—over foreign talent, regardless of merit. This is particularly striking, as many of these critics previously argued that meritocracy is central to America's greatness, expressing opposition only to illegal immigration. I've expressed my views on this matter in my newsletter right after Christmas, as well as in a letter to the Wall Street Journal.
Immigration is a complicated and nuanced issue that cannot be easily encapsulated in a few short paragraphs, which is why I've devoted an entire book to the topic. I am eager to engage in a constructive dialogue on this subject because, as a fellow American, I am dedicated to contributing positively to the nation I now call home and to which I am deeply committed.
Today, the WSJ published my letter. Below is the full text.
Letter to the Editor
Your editorial on intelligent nationalism and the need for talent (“Trump is Right on H-1B Visas,” Dec. 30) is correct. I came to the U.S. legally on a student visa after completing a bachelor’s degree in China at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. After earning two master’s degrees in the U.S. and navigating a rigorous interview process, I was offered a job at Citibank under the H-1B visa program. But that was only the beginning of a challenging process.
My employment hinged on the Labor Department’s approval through a certification process, which required Citibank to provide detailed job description, my qualifications and the proof that my wage met or exceeded the prevailing rate for similar positions. Citibank also had to advertise the position it had already offered me for three more months, allowing for objections or applications from Americans. I eventually secured the role only because I was the best candidate. I didn’t “steal” a job from a fellow American, and I wasn’t “cheap” foreign labor either.
Today, I am a proud U.S. citizen. America’s strength lies in its meritocratic system, which allows well-educated people to contribute to its prosperity through skilled immigration. Reforming the legal-immigration system is necessary. But eliminating skilled-immigration programs won’t make America great again. It will severely undermine the nation’s long-term economic growth.