Elon Musk’s Controversial Immigration Past: From Illegal Immigrant to Open-Border Critic

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, has recently come under scrutiny for his past immigration status. Despite being a vocal critic of illegal immigration in the United States, Musk himself was an illegal immigrant when he started his first company, Zip2, in the 1990s.

Key Takeaways

• Elon Musk entered the US on a student visa but never enrolled in Stanford.
• He remained in the country illegally to launch his first company, Zip2.
• Musk’s brother, Kimbal, confirmed their illegal status during a 2013 interview.
• Despite his past, Musk is now a prominent critic of US immigration policies.

A Questionable Start

Elon Musk arrived in the United States in 1995 on a student visa to attend Stanford University. However, just two days into the semester, he decided not to attend and informed the university of his decision. This action left him without a legal basis to remain in the country, as he had not enrolled in any courses.

Instead of leaving, Musk chose to stay in the US illegally, which he later described as a "gray area" in his career. This decision allowed him to focus on launching Zip2, his first company, which would eventually be sold for $300 million in 1999.

The Irony of Criticism

Today, Musk is one of the most prominent critics of illegal immigration in the US. He has publicly condemned the Biden Administration for its handling of the immigration crisis, particularly the influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border. His criticism has intensified as he has become a significant donor to Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump, ahead of the 2024 elections.

Musk’s stance on immigration has raised eyebrows, especially given his own history. While he advocates for stricter immigration policies, he has largely kept his past as an illegal immigrant under wraps.

A Family Admission

In a 2013 interview, Musk’s brother, Kimbal, revealed that both brothers were aware of their illegal status while building Zip2. They even faced challenges such as sleeping in their office and showering at a local YMCA. Kimbal confirmed that investors were aware of their immigration situation when they began funding the company.

Legal Implications

According to immigration experts, foreign students are not permitted to drop out of school and start businesses while maintaining their visa status. Former Justice Department Immigration Litigator Leon Fresco noted that engaging in revenue-generating activities without proper authorization can lead to serious legal consequences.

Musk’s early days in the US were fraught with uncertainty. In a 2005 email, he admitted to a colleague that he had no legal right to stay in the country and was primarily focused on launching a business rather than completing his degree.

The Path to Legal Status

Eventually, Musk and his brother sought legal advice and applied for work authorizations, which they received in 1997. This allowed them to continue their entrepreneurial journey without the looming threat of deportation.

Despite his success and wealth, Musk’s immigration history remains a complex and often overlooked aspect of his narrative. As he continues to shape public discourse on immigration, the contrast between his past and present raises important questions about the nature of success and the policies that govern it.

Musk’s story serves as a reminder that the path to success can be fraught with challenges, and the rules governing immigration can be both strict and flexible, depending on one’s circumstances.

Sources

• Elon Musk ‘was an illegal immigrant’ before becoming open-border critic | Daily Mail Online, Daily Mail.