Trump’s H-1B Stance Isn’t Softer, Just Different: “Train, Then Go Home,” Says Bessent

Initial interpretations of President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on skilled immigration may have missed the mark. While his comments on needing to bring more talent into the country sounded like a significant softening of his typically hardline immigration stance, Scott Bessent has offered a crucial clarification that paints a very different picture of the proposed H-1B visa policy. This new vision isn’t about permanent immigration or simple labor replacement, but rather a strategic, temporary influx of expertise.
Trump had sparked widespread discussion during an interview when he defended the idea of bringing in skilled workers, stating that America needs more talent from across the world. He candidly remarked that Americans do not possess “certain talents” and that “people have to learn.” This led many to believe a major policy pivot was underway, potentially signaling a new openness to highly skilled foreign nationals who have traditionally used visas like the H-1B.
However, Scott Bessent stepped forward to reframe these comments entirely. Speaking in an interview, Bessent explained that the former president’s remarks were not about a softer approach but a more tactical one. The new policy, he clarified, is centered on the concept of “knowledge transfer” rather than long-term settlement, fundamentally altering the perceived goal of the skilled visa program.
According to Bessent, the vision is to allow skilled foreign experts to enter the United States for a limited period—suggesting a term of three, five, or seven years. During this time, their primary role would not be just to fill a job, but to actively train American workers. This approach is designed to build domestic capacity rather than relying on a permanent foreign workforce.
Bessent described this “train and return” model as a “home run” for the American economy. He addressed concerns about taking jobs from Americans by stating, “An American can’t have that job, not yet.” He cited specific industries like shipbuilding and semiconductor manufacturing where the US has lost its expertise over the years. Under this plan, foreign partners would teach American workers, return to their home countries, and leave behind a fully trained and capable US workforce to take over.