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A day after US President Donald Trump defended the H-1B visa programme, saying America needs to “bring in the talents,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clarified that while the US will continue using visa schemes, they will come under stricter oversight to ensure “only the right people get in.”
In an interview with Fox NewsNoem said the government has “sped up” visa and green card processes, adding that more people are now becoming US citizens than before. However, she emphasised that the administration’s goal is not just efficiency but also integrity. “We’re going to keep using our visa programmes. We’re just going to make sure that they have integrity, that we’re actually doing the vetting of the individuals who come into this country, that they want to be here for the right reasons, that they’re not supporters of terrorists and organisations that hate America,” she said.
Noem outlined three non-negotiable criteria for H-1B and green card aspirants: they must not support terrorist groups, must intend to work and live legally, and must not back organisations hostile to the US.
She also contrasted the Trump administration’s approach with that of President Biden, accusing his government of having “opened the Southern border” and allowing “thousands of terrorists” into the country. “They abused asylum and visa programmes, and we fixed all of that,” she said, crediting Trump for restoring order. “It’s remarkable what President Trump has done… he’s a great leader, a visionary, and will go down as one of the greatest presidents in history.”
“And that’s what I think is so remarkable… under the Trump administration, we’ve sped up our process and added integrity to the visa programmes, to Green Cards, to all of that. But also, more people are becoming naturalised under this administration than ever before. More people are becoming citizens because we’re not just streamlining and building some processes back into our immigration policies, we’re also making sure that these individuals that are coming into our country and get that privilege, that they actually are here for the right reasons,” she said.
Trump’s own remarks this week signalled a notable shift in tone on H-1B visas. Speaking to Fox Newshe admitted that the US lacks specialised skills for some manufacturing and defence jobs. “You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you in a factory to make missiles.’ It doesn’t work that way,” Trump said, acknowledging that the country needs skilled foreign workers for such roles and for universities.
In September, the administration introduced a one-time $100,000 fee for certain employers filing new H-1B petitions and launched “Project Firewall” to curb visa abuse. Indian workers, especially in tech and healthcare, remain the biggest beneficiaries of the H-1B programme, accounting for over 70 per cent of all visa holders. But companies may now face higher costs, tighter vetting, and more inspections before hiring foreign talent.
(With Inputs from PTI)
