• Elon Musk denies allegations of illegal work in the U.S. during the 1990s, stating he had proper work authorization.
• The controversy gains attention amid the U.S. election, with Musk endorsing Donald Trump, known for his stringent stance on immigration.
• The debate around Musk's past immigration status intersects with the broader debate on immigration policies, a major issue in the election.
• The controversy is reminiscent of similar instances where high-profile figures faced scrutiny over their immigration status, adding a new dimension to the ongoing immigration debate.

Elon Musk, the South African-born billionaire businessman, is currently embroiled in a controversy over allegations of illegal work in the United States during the 1990s.

The Washington Post reported that Musk, while building his startup company, Zip2, was in the country without proper work authorization. However, Musk has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he was legally allowed to work in the U.S. during that period. I was on a J-1 visa that transitioned to an H1-B, he clarified on his social media platform X.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa allows foreign students to receive academic training in the U.S., while the H1-B visa is for temporary employment. The Post's report suggests that Musk arrived in Palo Alto, California, in 1995 to attend Stanford University but never enrolled in his graduate studies program.

Instead, he focused on developing his software company, Zip2, which was sold in 1999 for around $300 million.

The report further cites two immigration law experts who opined that Musk would have needed to be enrolled in a full course of study to maintain a valid work authorization as a student. Musk, however, has countered this claim. In a 2020 podcast cited by the Post, he stated, I was legally there, but I was meant to be doing student work. I was allowed to do work sort of supporting whatever.

Musk's Endorsement and the U.S. Election

The controversy has gained significant attention, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. election. Musk has publicly endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his stringent stance on immigration. Trump has often portrayed migrants as invaders and criminals, promising the biggest deportation effort in U.S. history if he is reelected.

The issue of immigration has been a focal point in U.S. politics, and this controversy involving a high-profile figure like Musk could influence public opinion. Musk's denial and his counter-accusations against President Joe Biden add to the political discourse. The debate around his past immigration status intersects with the broader debate on immigration policies, which is a major issue in the election.

In other news, McDonald's has ruled out its beef patties as the source of the E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder burgers. The company stated that all subsamples from multiple lots of its fresh and frozen beef patties tested negative for E. coli. The fast-food chain is confident that any contaminated product related to the outbreak has been removed from its supply chain.

Historical Similarities and Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Musk's immigration status in the 1990s is reminiscent of previous instances where high-profile figures have faced scrutiny over their immigration status.

For instance, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger faced similar allegations regarding his immigration status when he first arrived in the U.S. from Austria. However, Schwarzenegger, like Musk, denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he had always complied with U.S. immigration laws.

As the U.S. election draws near, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the political discourse and the public's perception of the candidates and their stance on immigration.