The United States may soon undergo significant immigration policy shifts, with Joseph Edlow, the newly appointed Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), indicating major reforms to both the H-1B visa program and the U.S. naturalization test.
Edlow, who recently assumed his role at USCIS, emphasized that the H-1B visa system is due for a comprehensive review. He argued that the current framework fails to adequately support American workers and must be realigned to better serve the domestic labor market.
Policy Direction Reflects Trump-Era Ideals
His stance mirrors policy priorities seen during former President Donald Trump’s tenure, which often sought to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign labor and impose stricter eligibility criteria.
The H-1B visa, which enables U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields like technology and healthcare, has long been a focal point in immigration debates. Critics argue that it is sometimes misused to replace American employees with lower-paid international workers.
Political Momentum for Reform
Edlow’s announcement has rekindled national discussions on immigration policy, particularly as the next election cycle approaches. He also mentioned that proposed changes to the H-1B program could address concerns voiced by conservative Republicans who believe it suppresses American wages.
This week, Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized companies for laying off domestic workers and hiring foreign replacements. Edlow expressed similar sentiments, stating that the H-1B visa should “supplement, not supplant” American industries and labor.
Tech Industry Pushback
Despite growing political scrutiny, several voices from the tech industry which includes some of Trump’s political allies continue to support the H-1B system. They argue that the program is essential to filling talent gaps that persist within the U.S. workforce.
Currently, USCIS issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually through a lottery, targeting high-skilled roles. Any forthcoming changes would need to undergo the federal regulatory process before being implemented.
Citizenship Test Revisions Also Underway
In addition to visa policy updates, Edlow disclosed that USCIS plans to revise the U.S. citizenship test. Presently, applicants must study 100 civics questions and correctly answer six out of ten during their interview.
During Trump’s first term, the number of questions was increased, and the passing requirement was raised to 12 out of 20. Edlow noted that the agency intends to return to a version of that more rigorous test in the near future.
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