Special Poll
Early U.S. Work Challenges: Elon Musk, originally from South Africa, faced immigration issues while working in the U.S. He began his career without legal work status after dropping out of a Stanford graduate program in 1995.
Political Views and Background: Recently, Musk has echoed anti-immigrant rhetoric to his 200+ million followers on X (formerly Twitter), although his early career included working without legal permission.
Building Zip2: Musk co-founded Zip2, a company that sold for $300 million in 1999, setting up his future in tech. Legal experts say he wasn’t authorized to work legally during Zip2’s initial phase, which became problematic with investor scrutiny.
Immigration Complications: Musk’s legal status was addressed by investors in 1996, with a condition that he secure work authorization within 45 days. The board also expressed concerns about potential immigration issues affecting future public offerings.
Early Visa Solutions: Musk and his brother, Kimbal, explored visa options through a law firm. The plan included avoiding any indication they were already living and working in the U.S., and using a student visa if possible.
Musk’s Public Statements: In later interviews, Musk referred to the “gray area” around his work status but did not fully disclose his undocumented period. His 2005 email to Tesla founders acknowledged that he initially used Stanford enrollment to stay legally in the U.S.
Investor Support: Investors remained focused on Musk’s drive and potential, with some admitting they overlooked his legal status at the time.
Immigration Law Shifts: The 1990s had relatively lenient student visa regulations, which tightened after 9/11. Today, Musk’s rise reflects Silicon Valley’s immigrant-driven growth, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs.