Elon Musk, whose net worth recently reached an incredible $400 billion, began his professional journey decades ago by working illegally in the United States while on a student visa.

Today, his Tesla company relies heavily on H-1B workers and has become one of the top 25 employers of H-1B visa holders, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data (USCIS).

In 2019, approximately 580,000 people were on H-1B visas in the United States, with the program a vital source of qualified foreign talent for companies like Tesla.

The United States caps the number of H-1B visas at 65,000 per year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for holders of advanced American degrees.

However, the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain due to changing immigration policies.

Former President Donald Trump, during his term, attempted to impose stricter immigration measures, including an executive order in 2020 suspending the issuance of H-1B visas to protect American jobs amid the pandemic of COVID-19. This decision was ultimately blocked because it exceeded the president’s authority.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), has warned that stricter immigration rules could hurt Indian IT professionals and increase costs for Indian IT companies.

During Trump’s first term, his administration implemented restrictive policies, including frequent denials of visa renewals, making it difficult for American companies to hire qualified foreign workers.

Now that Musk is named co-chair of the new Department of Government Effectiveness, a potential conflict of interest could arise. Tesla, which has had 1,787 H-1B visas approved this year, could make the case for a more open approach to skilled immigration. Musk’s role could put him at odds with hardline immigration policies.

Musk’s story adds an ironic twist: The self-proclaimed “Technoking” was working illegally on a student visa when he began his tech career in the United States. His trajectory illustrates the value that foreign talent can bring to the American economy.

Further complicating the debate is David Sacks, another Trump administration-aligned tech executive who has previously expressed support for expanding the H-1B program.

On the All-In podcast, co-hosted by Sacks and other tech entrepreneurs, a conversation with Trump revealed their shared interest in skilled immigration.

Tech investor Jason Calacanis asked Trump about expanding H-1B visas, emphasizing the need for highly skilled workers.

Trump agreed during the discussion, saying, “I promise, but I agree.” Otherwise, I don’t promise it.

However, Trump’s campaign later reversed this position, stating that only “the most qualified graduates who can make a significant contribution to America” ​​would be allowed to stay, after “the most aggressive selection process.”

As Musk and Sacks join the administration, their influence on the future of H-1B visas will be closely watched.

Whether they can advocate for more favorable policies or oppose restrictive views on immigration remains to be seen, but their presence undoubtedly adds a new dimension to this contentious debate.