Trump administration eyes stricter changes to H-1B visa program and US citizenship test

The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers and tighten the US citizenship test, according to a report by The New York Times. Joseph Edlow, the new director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in an interview with The NYT, Edlow outlined a policy direction that aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda as he seeks a second term.

H-1B changes to prioritise higher wages

At the centre of the proposed changes is the H-1B visa system, long relied upon by technology firms and criticised by immigration hard-liners. Edlow said the administration wants to favour companies that offer higher wages to foreign workers.


He said, “I really do think that the way H-1B needs to be used, and this is one of my favorite phrases, is to, along with a lot of other parts of immigration, supplement, not supplant, US economy and US businesses and US workers.”

This approach could address concerns from Republican Party members who argue that foreign workers accept lower wages and displace Americans. Recently, Vice President JD Vance criticised companies for laying off domestic employees while continuing to hire from abroad.

Pushback from tech sector and policy experts

While the proposal aims to appeal to immigration critics within the party, it may face resistance from business leaders. Several tech firms supportive of Trump say they depend on the H-1B program to fill roles for which they struggle to find qualified American candidates.

Doug Rand, a former official in the Biden administration, questioned the legality and intent of the salary-based proposal. “Like it or not, the H-1B program is the main way that US companies can hire the best and brightest international graduates of US universities, and Congress never allowed DHS to put its thumb on the scale based on salary,” he said.

Citizenship test under review

Edlow also signalled plans to revise the naturalization test, stating that the current version is too easy. “It's very easy to kind of memorize the answers. I don't think we're really comporting with the spirit of the law,” he said.

The proposed changes reflect the administration’s stance on tightening immigration rules and increasing scrutiny of those seeking to become US citizens.

The announcements come amid continued efforts by the Trump administration to scale back immigration through executive actions and regulatory changes. USCIS, under Edlow's leadership, is expected to play a key role in enforcing these policies in the lead-up to the presidential election.