Washington: The Trump administration is set to implement stricter regulations on legal immigration, focusing on making the US citizenship test more challenging and altering the H-1B visa system to benefit high-wage employers, as stated by the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

According to Anadolu Agency, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow mentioned in an interview with The New York Times that the current citizenship test is relatively easy, allowing individuals to memorize answers without fully grasping the spirit of the law. The agency plans to reintroduce a version of the naturalization exam from Donald Trump's first term, which imposed more difficult questions and stricter requirements.

Edlow also highlighted potential reforms to the H-1B visa program, which annually issues 85,000 work permits to foreign professionals in specialized fields. The proposed changes would prioritize applicants with the highest salaries. Edlow emphasized the necessity for the H-1B system to supplement, rather than replace, the US economy, businesses, and workforce.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential impact on young, highly skilled immigrants. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, warned that prioritizing H-1B visas based on salary could favor older workers who might soon retire or leave the country. He also noted that most Americans would struggle with the citizenship test, contradicting claims of its simplicity.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security is contemplating replacing the current lottery-based H-1B selection process with a salary-based weighted system. This proposal, supported by organizations like the Institute for Progress, aims to enhance the program's economic impact by up to 88%.

While some Republican-aligned voices remain critical of immigration, Edlow stressed the importance of legal migration that benefits US interests. He stated that immigration should be a net positive, contributing to economic agendas beneficial to the country.

Significant immigration reforms, including changes to the visa system or citizenship exam, would likely require approval from other federal agencies or Congress, where bipartisan discussions are ongoing.