H-1B visa row: Elon Musk claims Americans can't do ‘challenging physical work’

Elon Musk has ignited controversy in the ongoing H-1B visa discussion by claiming there is a major shortage of Americans willing or able to perform demanding physical labor and undergo training for such roles.

His statement was a response to Ford CEO Jim Farley's recent remark about the difficulty in filling 5,000 mechanic positions, which reportedly offer an annual salary of $120,000. Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "America has a major shortage of people who can do challenging physical work or who even wish to train to do so." 

The timing of his comments coincides with a broader discussion about perceived skill deficiencies within the American workforce.

Context in the H-1B visa row

The debate around foreign labor is also fueled by recent statements from President Donald Trump, who told FOX News that the U.S. requires specific foreign talents. He indicated that his administration would not terminate the H-1B visa program, citing the need for expertise—such as that demonstrated by South Korean battery workers—that he believes is currently lacking among American workers.

While a substantial $100,000 fee has been imposed on companies hiring foreign workers under the H-1B program, complicating the process, it is widely believed that the program will not be halted, particularly given the perceived need for highly skilled STEM professionals in Silicon Valley. 

Also read: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman accuses Elon Musk of manipulating X todamage rivals

The administration's seemingly uncertain stance on foreign labor has intensified the H-1B visa controversy.

Backlash against Musk's comments

Musk's assertion faced swift criticism on social media. Users accused him of adopting a mindset that consistently underestimates American workers, first by claiming a lack of proficiency in STEM fields to justify outsourcing white-collar jobs, and now repeating the same narrative for physical, "blue-collar" labor.

One commenter shared a personal anecdote, arguing: "You’re wrong. My white 22-yr-old son has been begging for this kind of work for the past 6 months. Nobody will give him an apprenticeship or entry level job... He is intelligent and hardworking... You guys are either lying or there is a breakdown somewhere because my son isn’t the only one."

Another user criticized the repeated claims, stating, "First they came for White Collar work. Now they’re repeating the same lies about Blue Collar work." 

A third user drew a comparison, noting that while the U.S. military successfully recruits from the general population, corporate America defaults to the "nobody can/wants to work" narrative, which often leads to the use of foreign labor and suppressed wages.