Elon Musk's H-1B U-Turn: Silent on Trump Fee Amid Funeral Appearance

ELON MUSK'S SHIFT ON H-1B VISAS RAISES EYEBROWS AS HE APPEARS WITH TRUMP AT CHARLIE KIRK'S FUNERAL In a stark contrast to his previous stance, Elon Musk has maintained silence on the Trump administration's $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. This comes as he was seen smiling alongside President Donald Trump at the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Musk, who has long been an advocate for the H-1B program, which allows U.S. companies to bring in skilled workers when no domestic candidates can be found, made headlines last year by vowing to "go to war" over the issue. However, his recent actions have sparked criticism from those who had previously seen him as a champion of immigration reform. "I'm disappointed but not surprised," said Rohit Gupta, an Indian-American entrepreneur and advocate for H-1B visas. "Elon Musk's silence on this issue is a betrayal to the community he claims to support." The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some Trump supporters opposing it as they view it as favoring foreign workers over American citizens. However, proponents argue that the program is essential for U.S. companies to remain competitive globally. Musk's decision to appear with Trump at Kirk's funeral has raised eyebrows among those who had previously seen him as a vocal critic of the administration's immigration policies. "It's clear that Musk is trying to distance himself from his previous stance on H-1B visas," said an industry insider, who wished to remain anonymous. The $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications has been met with widespread criticism from the tech industry and advocacy groups. The move is seen as a significant barrier to entry for foreign workers seeking to work in the United States. As the debate over H-1B visas continues, Musk's silence on the issue has left many wondering what his next move will be. "Elon Musk needs to clarify his position on this issue," said Gupta. "His silence is not only disappointing but also damaging to the community he claims to support." Background: The H-1B visa program was introduced in 1990 as a way for U.S. companies to bring in skilled workers when no domestic candidates can be found. The program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with some Trump supporters opposing it as they view it as favoring foreign workers over American citizens. Additional Perspectives: The move by the Trump administration to impose a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications has been met with criticism from around the world. "This is a protectionist measure that will harm U.S. companies and stifle innovation," said a spokesperson for the European Commission. Current Status and Next Developments: The debate over H-1B visas continues to rage on, with many calling for Musk to clarify his position on the issue. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact the tech industry and the community of foreign workers seeking to work in the United States. *Reporting by Fortune.*