AgenciesUS Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow on Thursday signaled that the White House may soon announce changes to the H-1B visa program, saying the system must be closely monitored to protect American workers.
“I think the H-1B system, if properly monitored and properly scrutinized for integrity, can be a useful tool, especially when employers are bringing people here on at the highest wage levels,” Edlow said in a conversation hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies.
“My big concern and will always be my big concern is keeping US citizens out of the job market, especially those graduating from universities with STEM degrees and they're being kept out because employers are able to get higher more experienced individuals at lower wage rates using the current four tier wage level.”
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He added, “There’s things that we’re going to be looking into, but again, I don’t want to get ahead of the White House.”
Edlow’s remarks come as the administration considers the “Weighted Selection” rule for the H-1B lottery, which cleared White House review in August but has not been released publicly. It remains unclear whether the forthcoming announcement will address that rule specifically or signal broader reforms to the program.
The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire up to 85,000 foreign professionals annually in fields such as technology, medicine, and engineering. The program has long drawn political debate. Supporters argue it fills critical skill gaps, while critics contend it undercuts wages and limits opportunities for American workers.
Republican leaders have voiced sharper criticism. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called the program a “total scam.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently told Fox News he favors replacing the current lottery with a wage- or merit-based allocation, saying the existing system “is terrible.”
At the same time, the Department of Justice has launched investigations into hiring practices that allegedly give preference to H-1B workers over American citizens. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights section is pursuing “numerous open investigations” under its Protecting US Workers Initiative.
Together, the pending White House action, Edlow’s remarks, and ongoing investigations suggest a new phase of tighter oversight for the skilled worker visa program.
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“My big concern and will always be my big concern is keeping US citizens out of the job market, especially those graduating from universities with STEM degrees and they're being kept out because employers are able to get higher more experienced individuals at lower wage rates using the current four tier wage level.”
Also Read| H-1B visa scrutiny rises as DOJ launches discrimination probes
He added, “There’s things that we’re going to be looking into, but again, I don’t want to get ahead of the White House.”
Edlow’s remarks come as the administration considers the “Weighted Selection” rule for the H-1B lottery, which cleared White House review in August but has not been released publicly. It remains unclear whether the forthcoming announcement will address that rule specifically or signal broader reforms to the program.
The H-1B visa allows US employers to hire up to 85,000 foreign professionals annually in fields such as technology, medicine, and engineering. The program has long drawn political debate. Supporters argue it fills critical skill gaps, while critics contend it undercuts wages and limits opportunities for American workers.
Republican leaders have voiced sharper criticism. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called the program a “total scam.” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently told Fox News he favors replacing the current lottery with a wage- or merit-based allocation, saying the existing system “is terrible.”
At the same time, the Department of Justice has launched investigations into hiring practices that allegedly give preference to H-1B workers over American citizens. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights section is pursuing “numerous open investigations” under its Protecting US Workers Initiative.
Together, the pending White House action, Edlow’s remarks, and ongoing investigations suggest a new phase of tighter oversight for the skilled worker visa program.
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