The number of foreign workers newly employed in Minnesota under the H-1B program has nearly doubled in the past decade, with some of the state’s largest businesses relying on the skilled worker visas more than ever.
They are working as software developers and engineers, experts say, at such organizations as U.S. Bank, UnitedHealth Group’s Optum unit, Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and Medtronic.
As those around President-elect Donald Trump debate the merits of letting more foreign-born workers into the country, Minnesota companies are using the program more than any time in the past decade. For the year ending Sept. 30, the H-1B visa program for skilled employees approved 1,491 initial applications for individuals to move to Minnesota for a three-year period.
While the number is growing, H-1B visa holders make up a small fraction of Minnesota’s workforce. But it is an important piece of companies’ strategies for dealing with the state’s population growth and, thus, labor force, said Sean O’Neil, director of economic development and research at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
The visas comprise “one part of a larger puzzle for how Minnesota companies can get the talent that they need to continue operating and to thrive,” O’Neil said.
During his first term in the White House, Trump called H-1B visas “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers and took steps to change the program. H-1B visas have since become hotly debated among his supporters.
Critics such as Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., say the program is being abused by companies and may undermine American wages. Supporters, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — Trump allies named to lead a task force on government efficiency, highlight its importance to U.S. innovation.
In remarks at Mar-a-Lago last week, Trump said he supports the program because “we need competent people” and insisted he had not changed his mind about it. Trump has acknowledged hiring H-1B workers at his businesses.