We’ve let too many people in. And we have no clue if they are loyal to us.
And now a Trump official moved to completely change US citizenship standards.
USCIS Chief Pushes for Rigorous Citizenship Overhaul in Wake of Recent Terror Strikes
Newly appointed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow is moving swiftly to fortify the nation’s immigration safeguards, spotlighting the citizenship test as woefully inadequate just as two alarming terrorist incidents have thrust vetting procedures back into the national spotlight.
These attacks—a deliberate vehicle assault on Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, injuring a security guard in what authorities called a targeted strike against the Jewish community, and a deadly shooting by an ISIS-affiliated military veteran at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, claiming two lives including the shooter and wounding two others in an ROTC classroom—have amplified calls from Republican leaders for enhanced national security measures in immigration processes.
In an exclusive sit-down with Fox News Digital shortly after taking the helm in August 2025, Edlow didn’t mince words about the current naturalization exam’s shortcomings, arguing it falls short of congressional intent and fails to ensure true assimilation into American values.
“The test needs to reflect the letter and the spirit of what Congress intended,” Edlow said. “It’s important for people to understand English, our history, our government … and the way the test is written and executed right now doesn’t meet that bar.”
The existing setup requires applicants to ace just six out of 10 civics questions from a pool of 100 on foundational topics like the Constitution and U.S. history, alongside basic reading and writing in English. Edlow envisions a more comprehensive evaluation, delving deeper into core principles and integrating English proficiency checks throughout the interview process.
“I want adjudicators to really be listening and talking throughout the interview,” he said. “Switch up some of the wording … and see if the individuals are still able to comprehend the questions. That’s a better gauge of readiness.”
Tying into a recent executive order affirming English as the national language, Edlow stressed that mastering the language is “an imperative part” of pursuing the American dream, a priority that resonates with conservative efforts to preserve cultural unity.
Edlow Targets H-1B Abuses and Welfare Rules to Protect American Workers and Taxpayers
Beyond the citizenship gateway, Edlow is zeroing in on vulnerabilities in the H-1B visa program, which brings in skilled foreign talent but has drawn fire from Republicans for allowing corporations to undercut domestic job opportunities and wages.
“Companies are going for the highest-skilled workers but paying them at the lowest wage level,” he said. “That’s undercutting U.S. graduates, especially in STEM fields.”
He highlighted exploitative practices where outsourcing firms enable layoffs of American employees, even forcing them to train their overseas replacements—a grievance echoed by Vice President JD Vance, who in July 2025 slammed Microsoft for axing 9,000 U.S. jobs while seeking 4,700 H-1B visas.
“I don’t want companies to fire 9,000 American workers and then to go and say, ‘We can’t find workers here in America.’ That’s a bulls— story,” Vance declared.
This internal GOP debate pits pro-business voices, like Tesla’s Elon Musk who vowed to “go to war” for the program and labeled critics “hateful, unrepentant racists,” against America-first advocates pushing for reforms. Edlow plans to ramp up collaboration with the Department of Labor for stricter on-site audits, ensuring visa holders’ pay and roles align with promises.
“We want to make sure those brought over are truly commensurate with the roles they’re filling — and not part of a cost-cutting scheme,” he added.
Edlow also signaled a return to robust enforcement of the public charge rule, a century-old policy tightened under the Trump administration to deny green cards to those likely to depend on government aid, including non-cash benefits like Medicaid. Loosened during the Biden years, the rule’s revival aims to shield taxpayers from undue burdens.
“It’s something we’ve got to study and get right,” he said. “We need to look at the means-tested benefits being offered and ensure our adjudicators know what to look for to determine if someone would be a burden on U.S. taxpayers.”
Backlogs Labeled National Security Risk as Edlow Vows Methodical Fixes Without Compromises
Edlow isn’t stopping at policy tweaks; he’s tackling the ballooning USCIS caseloads head-on, framing them as a direct peril to America’s safety—a problem he attributes to the previous administration’s misallocation of resources amid unprecedented illegal border surges.
“Backlogs that continue to grow are nothing short of a national security threat to this country,” he said.
While committing to streamline processing times, Edlow made clear that expediency won’t come at the expense of thoroughness, a stance that aligns with Republican priorities for secure, merit-based immigration.
“There may be short-term pain,” he said. “But we will decrease the backlog at a steady clip while protecting the integrity and security of the system.”
As these initiatives unfold, Edlow’s proactive approach underscores a renewed focus on safeguarding American interests, particularly in light of the recent attacks that have reignited debates over the effectiveness of current vetting protocols.
