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Elon Musk, known for his bold statements and controversial opinions, has become one of the most vocal critics of illegal immigration. Interestingly, he once described his own past immigration status as a "gray area." Musk, standing near the US-Mexico border in a video from September 2023, was seen adjusting the brim of his black cowboy hat, just steps away from the boundary that has long fueled heated debate in American politics.

Was Elon Musk an Illegal Immigrant? According to his brother Kimbal Musk, the answer is YES pic.twitter.com/uGwQxHLdZd

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 6, 2024

 

"As an immigrant to the United States, I am extremely pro-immigrant," Musk expressed. "I believe that we need a greatly expanded legal immigration system, and that we should let anyone in the country who is hardworking and honest and will be a contributor to the United States."

 

Despite his strong advocacy for legal immigration, Musk also acknowledged the need for limits. "By the same token, we should also not be allowing people in the country if they’re breaking the law," he added. "That doesn’t make sense. The law’s there for a reason."

 

Since that visit to the border, Musk’s stance on illegal immigration has become an increasingly prominent feature of his online presence, especially following his acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022. With a following of over 195 million users, Musk has shaped and amplified discussions surrounding immigration. He often shares posts endorsing conspiracy theories that suggest the Biden administration has deliberately allowed undocumented immigrants to cross the border to gain political advantage. Simultaneously, he references his own background as an immigrant, promoting the expansion of legal immigration.

 

What’s less talked about, however, is an episode from his own family’s immigration history that raises questions about Musk's early days in the United States. This chapter, discussed publicly by his younger brother Kimbal Musk, highlights a lesser-known aspect of their journey.

 

Kimbal once revealed, "We were illegal immigrants," referring to the time they were starting their first company in the U.S. Elon, who was born in South Africa, moved to Canada before his 18th birthday and then to the United States in 1992 to attend the University of Pennsylvania. From there, he went on to found several high-profile startups, including Tesla and SpaceX, becoming the world's wealthiest individual with a net worth nearing $270 billion.

 

In a 2013 interview, the Musk brothers recalled the early days of their startup, when they lived in their office and showered at the YMCA to save on rent. It was during this conversation that Kimbal dropped the bombshell, noting that investors were surprised to discover that the two brothers were, at that time, "illegal immigrants." Elon laughed and interjected, "I'd say it was a gray area."

 

This vague explanation has left many questioning Musk's legal status during the formative years of his career. While the details of their visas remain unclear, Kimbal’s candid remark implies that there was indeed a period of legal uncertainty. "Yes, we were," Kimbal insisted, countering his brother’s softer characterization.

 

Musk's immigration status at the time of founding his first company, Zip2, remains murky. Biographies like those by Walter Isaacson and Ashlee Vance mention that investors later helped the brothers secure visas, though specifics about those visas and the path Elon took to eventually become a U.S. citizen are unclear. According to Isaacson, Musk gained citizenship in 2002, a decade after arriving in the country.

 

In response to the "gray area" remark, legal experts are less ambiguous. Charles Kuck, an immigration attorney, commented, "Actually, there are no gray areas in immigration. There are people who get caught for violations, and people who don’t." Jennifer Minear, another attorney specializing in employment immigration, echoed that sentiment, suggesting there might have been a period when Musk lacked proper legal status. "It sounds like there was a little bit of wonkiness in his past with immigration," she noted.

 

Musk himself has described the process of becoming a U.S. citizen as "a laborious Kafkaesque nightmare," noting that it took him over a decade to navigate the system. His reflections on the immigration process align with his broader views: advocating for more accessible legal pathways, while staunchly opposing illegal entry.

 

As one of the world’s most influential voices, Musk’s opinions on immigration—shaped by both personal experience and political ideology—continue to stir debate. While his past remains clouded in some uncertainty, his present stance is clear: a call for a balanced, lawful approach to immigration.

 

Based on a report from CNN 2024-10-10

 

 

 

[JCauto]

It's not a wonder as to why he became a Republican. With a level of hypocrisy that approaches the size of his ego, it was a natural that he'd both become a mouthpiece and bullhorn for the GOP and form a bond with the biggest hypocrite and liar of them all.