Elon Musk Faces Potential Scrutiny Over U.S. Citizenship Amid Alleged Visa Violations
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Billionaire tech mogul and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk may face serious legal repercussions if authorities discover he misrepresented information during his immigration process, according to a new report from WIRED. Legal experts suggest that if Musk, the world’s richest person, is found to have violated immigration laws, it could expose him to criminal charges or even the risk of having his U.S. citizenship revoked.
The potential issue stems from Musk’s early years in the United States, where he reportedly worked without authorization. According to The Washington Post, which first raised concerns about Musk’s immigration status earlier this week, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO “apparently broke the law” by working in the country illegally in the 1990s. The report cites sources including former business associates, court documents, and company records.
In 1995, Musk was accepted into a graduate program at Stanford University, yet he chose not to enroll, opting instead to work on an online startup that would later become Zip2. This choice to work rather than study could have violated the terms of his student visa, which only permits those in academic programs to remain in the U.S. without additional work authorization.
The following year, Musk and his brother sought funding for Zip2 and reportedly agreed to secure legal work authorization within 45 days as a condition of the investment. However, Musk’s right to work legally in the U.S. was only granted in 1997. Musk has denied ever working illegally in the country, according to WIRED.
Immigration experts consulted by WIRED explained that under a student visa, Musk would not have been authorized to work in the U.S. without being enrolled in school. According to these experts, his legal status would have required him to either leave the country or obtain separate work authorization. If further investigation by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) were to uncover “solid evidence” of immigration law violations, the matter could be referred to a U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution.
“Prosecutors, who have broad discretion to take up or decline cases, could then proceed, or not, as they saw fit,” WIRED reported, noting that even minor infractions on immigration paperwork can sometimes lead to severe consequences, including revocation of citizenship if intentional misrepresentations are proven.
The stakes are particularly high given Musk’s prominent political ties and recent speculation about a possible role in a Trump administration should the former president return to office. Musk, who has donated over $100 million in support of Trump, could see his political prospects jeopardized if his immigration status comes under legal scrutiny.
For now, Musk’s citizenship status remains secure, but the allegations open the door to possible investigations that could reveal whether his past actions conflict with current immigration laws. While the decision to prosecute would ultimately rest with federal authorities, the controversy raises broader questions about accountability for high-profile figures in positions of influence and power.
