The Trump administration is moving to raise the bar for naturalization and high-skilled work visas, claiming current standards are too lenient. Joseph Edlow, the new head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), argues the existing citizenship test relies too much on memorization and fails to ensure true civic understanding.
Edlow wants to bring back elements of the tougher 2020 test introduced during Trump’s first term, which required deeper knowledge of U.S. history and democracy. That version was later scrapped by the Biden administration for being overly complex.
The administration is also eyeing changes to the H-1B visa program, aiming to favor higher-paid, highly skilled workers whose contributions clearly benefit the U.S. economy. Edlow criticized companies that use H-1B workers primarily to cut labor costs, saying the program should supplement—not replace—the American workforce.
The proposed reforms reflect a broader immigration strategy focused on selectivity, civic commitment, and economic contribution. Critics warn the changes could create unnecessary barriers and reduce access to legal immigration pathways.