President Donald Trump said the United States lacks “certain talents” needed for specialized jobs and defended bringing in skilled foreign workers, remarks that rekindled debate inside his own coalition over immigration and wages.
In a Fox News interview that aired on November 11, 2025, Trump argued that some roles cannot be filled immediately by domestic workers without extensive training, telling host Laura Ingraham that “you don’t have certain talents.” He cited the early September immigration raid at a Hyundai battery facility in Georgia as an example of the challenges companies face sourcing specialized expertise during factory build‑outs and technical start‑ups.
The comments arrive less than two months after the White House moved to reshape the H‑1B program. On September 19, 2025, Trump signed a proclamation requiring a one‑time $100,000 fee on new H‑1B petitions and directing agencies to prioritize higher‑paid, higher‑skilled applicants in future lotteries. The administration later clarified the fee does not apply to current H‑1B holders or renewals and will take effect prospectively, including the next lottery cycle. Supporters say the change aims to curb abuse and ensure visas go to top talent; critics warn it could burden startups and push investment abroad.
The Georgia episode Trump referenced underscores the tension. Federal agents detained 475 workers in early September 2025 at the Hyundai–LG battery site near Savannah, an operation Homeland Security officials called the agency’s largest single‑site enforcement raid. Many detainees were South Korean specialists brought in to install equipment and help train local staff, according to officials and attorneys familiar with the site.
Trump’s stance highlights a persistent balancing act: limiting legal immigration while keeping the U.S. competitive in advanced manufacturing and technology. His remarks drew pushback from some conservative commentators who argue foreign hiring depresses wages, even as business leaders and some economists contend that targeted visas expand innovation capacity and create complementary jobs. The administration’s fee policy and promised rule changes signal a narrower, more expensive path for employers, potentially favoring large firms that can absorb costs while squeezing smaller companies.
Within the right, Trump’s comments stoked visible dissent but not a wholesale break, with allies acknowledging divisions over how to balance wage growth and competitiveness. Expect legal and regulatory battles over the fee and forthcoming rules, and continued industry lobbying for exemptions where foreign experts are needed to stand up critical facilities. For now, the White House message is twofold: bring the best to the U.S.—but prove the need, pay the price, and train American workers alongside them.