Elon Musk Reflects on His Complex Immigration Journey and U.S. Policy

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has become a vocal critic of illegal immigration while emphasizing the importance of expanding legal immigration in the U.S. During a September 2023 visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Musk shared his perspective, stating, “As an immigrant, I am extremely pro-immigrant” but noted the need for limits, saying, “We should not allow people in if they’re breaking the law.”

Musk’s stance on immigration has gained attention, especially with his growing influence on social media, following his 2022 acquisition of X (formerly Twitter). However, his personal immigration story has also raised questions. Musk’s younger brother, Kimbal Musk, has publicly mentioned that they were “illegal immigrants” during the early days of their first company, Zip2, in 1995.

Elon Musk has called this a “gray area,” explaining that he moved to the U.S. from Canada on a student visa but decided to start his business instead of pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford. Immigration experts note that student visas have strict work limitations, raising questions about how Musk maintained his status during that period.

Musk became a U.S. citizen in 2002, but his immigration journey has come under scrutiny as his online criticism of illegal immigration continues. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his past status, Musk has positioned himself as a strong advocate for legal immigration reform, while opposing unlawful border crossings, a stance that has sparked further debate as the 2024 presidential election approaches.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com