‘Might as well allow H‑1Bs to make nuclear bombs’: American businessman says letting foreigners work in AI labs is ‘national security’ issue

American businessman and self-described Christian conservative Andrew Torba has criticised allowing H‑1B visa holders and other foreign workers to participate in artificial intelligence research in the United States, calling it a “massive national security issue.”His comments align with those MAGA supporters urging Trump administration to put a complete ban on H1-Bs. ‘America First’ movement is keen on taking back jobs “stolen” by foreigners from native US citizens.Posting on X, Torba wrote: “Allowing H1Bs and other foreigners to work inside American AI labs is insane. Massive national security issue. No one is talking about this. You may as well let them work on our nuclear bombs if you’re allowing that.”

H‑1B visa holders are legally allowed to work in AI labs in the United States as long as their jobs meet the requirements of a specialty occupation and they are sponsored by a US employer. The H‑1B visa is designed for highly skilled professionals in fields that generally require at least a bachelor’s degree, including computer science, software engineering, machine learning and AI research. This allows positions at research labs, universities, startups or major tech companies to be H‑1B‑eligible if the employer files the proper petition with US authorities. The majority of visas are utilised by Indian and Chinese workers to function in crucial sectors like tech and defence. Many AI companies in the United States already employ H‑1B workers, and some offer high salaries to attract top talent in machine learning and AI development, even though a lot of foreign workers do settle as “cheap labour” according to Republicans. Recent changes to H‑1B rules prioritise higher-paid and more specialised roles, focusing the programme on advanced skilled jobs, which include AI research and development. The $100,000 fees set by Trump for H1-B visas last year made it more difficult for people actively looking to apply. H‑1B workers must remain in the role and with the employer approved in their visa petition. Any change of position or employer requires a new petition or amendment.As of late 2025, according to USCIS, approximately 440,000 H‑1B visa holders are employed in the United States, primarily in technology, engineering, healthcare, and research. They represent less than 0.5 per cent of the US workforce. Around 400,000 H‑1B approvals occurred in fiscal 2024, including new hires and renewals, with an annual cap of 85,000 visas.Andrew Torba is an American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Gab, a social media platform launched in 2016 as an alternative to mainstream sites, known for attracting far‑right users. He has written many books on Christian nationalism.