Scott Bessent has outlined a new H-1B visa plan where “overseas partners” would act as temporary instructors for American workers before “returning home.” This clarification puts a new spin on Donald Trump’s recent comments, which were initially perceived as a major softening of his immigration stance. The new policy is centered on “knowledge transfer,” not permanent settlement.
The speculation began after Trump advocated for bringing skilled immigrants to the US, stating, “We also do have to bring talent into the country.” He insisted that America lacks “certain talents,” especially for technical jobs, and that “people have to learn,” suggesting a need for foreign expertise.
Bessent, however, explained that this policy is not about a softer approach but a more strategic one. The vision, he said, is to “bring in overseas workers who have the skills” for a limited period, suchas “three, five, seven years,” with the express purpose of training the US workforce.
This model is designed to address specific industrial needs. Bessent mentioned shipbuilding and semiconductors as sectors where the US has lost expertise, and as a result, “An American can’t have that job, not yet.” This policy would use foreign experts to bridge that skills gap.
Bessent described this “train-and-return” system as a “home run.” It allows the US to gain valuable expertise, upskill its own citizens, and achieve self-sufficiency in critical industries. The plan culminates with the American workers, now fully trained, taking over the roles permanently.