Elon Musk’s early career in the U.S. reportedly included working without legal authorisation, a reality that contrasts with his current stance on immigration.
After leaving a Stanford graduate program he enrolled in to maintain his U.S. status, Musk launched Zip2, the software company that sold for about $300 million in 1999, eventually leading to his involvement with PayPal and, later, Tesla and SpaceX.
At the time, Musk’s venture backers appeared to overlook his visa status, as investors were more focused on his potential than on compliance with immigration law.
Accounts from former associates, documents, and statements suggest that Musk’s path was facilitated by investors willing to support his ventures, provided he resolved his legal status. Legal experts point out that foreign students without a current academic enrollment cannot work for a company, and overstaying student status typically violates immigration laws.
Musk’s brother Kimbal has openly acknowledged their “illegal immigrant” status, recalling work and business travel challenges. Kimbal even recounted circumventing border checks to attend a meeting with an investor by misleading U.S. border officials.
Musk’s current views on immigration emphasize the importance of talent, diligence, and legality, with anti-immigrant rhetoric occasionally surfacing in his public statements.
However, Musk himself acknowledges the need for reform, particularly for skilled and ambitious immigrants. His statements echo his own early experience, as his Silicon Valley ascent relied on a blend of tenacity, investor support, and an oversight of his visa situation.
Musk’s status as a billionaire and cultural figure now highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration processes, especially as he supports stricter policies he might not have met in the 1990s.
Source:
Washington PostImage:
Los Angeles Times
