DHS: U.S. Will Keep H-1B Visa Programs Under Trump Policy
DHS Kristi Noem Defends Trump H-1B Visa Policy, Says U.S. Will Continue Bringing Skilled Talent
A day after U.S. President Donald Trump defended the importance of skilled foreign workers under the Trump H-1B Visa Policy, Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Kristi Noem reaffirmed that America will continue its visa programmes — but with stronger vetting and renewed integrity.
Speaking to Fox News, Noem said the Trump administration is not looking to end visa opportunities but to ensure that “people coming into this country want to be here for the right reasons.” She emphasised that the administration is determined to maintain both the security and effectiveness of the system.
“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,” Ms. Noem said. “They must not be supporters of terrorists or organisations that hate America.”
DHS: Trump’s Vision for Skilled Immigration
President Trump recently reignited the debate around the Trump H-1B Visa Policy, saying that while protecting American workers remains a top priority, the U.S. still needs to bring in foreign talent for industries that require specialized skills.
In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Trump defended the value of the H-1B programme, asserting that certain fields require expertise that cannot be instantly found domestically.
“No, you don’t [have enough talent],” Trump told Ingraham when she suggested that America already has sufficient skilled workers. “You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘We’re going to make missiles now.’ You have to bring in people who know how to do it.”
He cited industries like advanced battery manufacturing and defense technology, where foreign expertise has been critical in building and training a capable U.S. workforce.
Kristi Noem Highlights Record Naturalisations
Kristi Noem also noted a significant rise in naturalisations under the Trump administration, linking it to the government’s renewed focus on integrity in immigration processes.
“More people are becoming naturalised under this administration than ever before,” she said. “We’ve not only streamlined processes but also made sure that people who become citizens truly want to be part of America.”
The DHS chief further contrasted Trump’s policies with those of the previous administration, accusing the Biden government of mishandling border security and asylum systems.
“The Biden administration let thousands of terrorists into this country,” Noem claimed. “They opened the Southern border, abused asylum and protective programmes, and we fixed all of it.”
She praised Trump’s leadership, calling him a “visionary” and “a legend in history as one of America’s greatest presidents.”
DHS: Reform and Crackdown on Visa Abuse
Despite defending the H-1B programme, the Trump H-1B Visa Policy has also been marked by aggressive reform efforts aimed at curbing misuse. In September 2025, Trump issued a Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”, introducing a new $100,000 payment for certain H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025 — a move intended to deter fraudulent filings and protect American jobs.
Following this, the administration launched 175 investigations into H-1B visa abuse, uncovering cases involving fake job sites, underpayment, and “benching” employees without proper work assignments.
The U.S. Department of Labour, in a post on X, announced:
“As part of our mission to protect American jobs, we’ve launched 175 investigations into H-1B abuse. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, we will continue taking action to put American workers first.”
Chavez-DeRemer echoed this stance, affirming that every available resource would be used to ensure visa integrity and to safeguard opportunities for American citizens.