Elon Musk, through D.O.G.E., plans to get Silicon Valley back on track and fix the immigration crisis

Despite the Trump administration’s intention to restrict immigration, Elon Musk has a better idea. Killing two birds with one stone, he contended that the immigration of only highly qualified foreign workers to the US could save Silicon Valley.

Musk wrote on his social platform X, “The number of people who are super talented engineers and super motivated in the USA is far too low.”

Many people, especially native Americans, were not happy with his statement. To that end, he further explained, “Of course, my companies and I would prefer to hire Americans, and we do, as that is much easier than going through the incredibly painful and slow work visa process […] however, there is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America.”

“I'm extremely pro-immigrant. I believe we need a greatly expanded legal immigration system. We should let anyone in the country who is hardworking and honest and will be a contributor to the US.”

— Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/N0PmKQUOFi

— Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) October 17, 2024

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) partner Vivek Ramaswamy similarly argued there are too few competitive U.S.-born engineering candidates, suggesting it’s a cultural issue.

D.O.G.E’s new initiative has calmed many immigrants down, as it seems that America is giving them a chance. However, many Americans’ employment is threatened.

From anti-immigrant to pro-immigrant? Only for Silicon Valley

Musk’s views come as some immigration hardliners have expressed concern about President-elect Trump’s choice of Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan for an adviser position for AI in the new administration.

Krishnan has previously pushed Musk, who is close to Trump and would chair the Department of Government Efficiency, to convince the president to lift the bar on green cards for highly talented individuals born in other countries.  

David Sacks, who Trump tapped as White House AI and cryptocurrency czar, defended Krishnan’s view in an X post.  He said, “Sriram still supports skills-based criteria for receiving a green card, not making the program unlimited. In fact, he wants to make the program entirely merit-based.” 

Elon Musk replied to the conversation, asserting, “Makes sense.”

However, Laura Loomer, a fervent Trump supporter, slammed Krishnan’s appointment. She claimed that he wanted to lift green card limitations for foreign students. She argued that foreigners would take jobs that should be given to American STEM students.

She added, “It’s alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump’s admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump’s America First agenda.”

Trump prepares to execute an ambitious and contentious immigration strategy. It includes mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and potentially naturalized citizens. This makes the discussion of Silicon Valley’s employment practices timely. 

Musk and Ramaswamy have both expressed their support for Trump’s immigration policies.

Silicon Valley’s national security shift under Trump’s administration

Eight years ago, nobody in Silicon Valley backed Donald Trump. However, Trump and his party appear to have made inroads in Silicon Valley in recent years. Several tech executives who had previously supported Democrats endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign this year. 

In addition to his number one supporter, Musk, many of Trump’s Silicon Valley nominees backed his campaign, demonstrating the president-elect’s willingness to reward loyalty in his new administration. 

Silicon Valley is rapidly going down upon Washington as tech leaders assume significant roles in President-elect Trump’s second term, both officially and unofficially. 

For status, David Sacks, a venture capitalist, was appointed by President Trump earlier this month to serve as the White House administrator of AI and crypto. This position is responsible for directing the administration’s policy on these two technologies. 

Also, Trump appointed Jacob Helberg, a senior consultant to Palantir Technologies’ CEO, as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.  

In addition, Jim O’Neill, a biotech investor and close colleague of venture capitalist Peter Thiel, will become the administration’s deputy secretary of Health and Human Services. 

Trump is reportedly contemplating the appointment of Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer, to the position of chief research and engineering officer at the Defense Department. Still, Trae Stephens, co-founder of Anduril, has been considered for a position at the Pentagon. 

Trump’s allies are now this consistent procession of Silicon Valley titans. This ensures the companies involved enjoy several advantages. For example, the US government will be hesitant to impose excessive restrictions on the development of AI. 

This is if it increasingly perceives its dominance in technologies as a national security issue of almost existential strategic importance. Indeed, under the new Trump administration, more deregulation is likely.

However, there is reason to be concerned about the rising synergy between Silicon Valley elements and the national security apparatus. Also, the implications for future technological growth, tensions with China, and the intertwining of military and economic power. 

Silicon Valley’s rising securitization will have an impact on the types of breakthroughs that emerge from the technology sector. Technologies designed for the military, such as drones and surveillance tools, tend to make their way into civilian life. Potentially, it could introduce new, increasingly dangerous technology. 

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