Noem: US Tightens Visa Oversight to Admit Only Right Applicants

(UNITED STATES) Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that the Trump administration will keep its visa programs in place while tightening vetting procedures, promising that only “the right people” will be allowed to enter. The comments, made as the administration presses its broader immigration agenda, signal continuity in work and family visas with sharper screening and enforcement.

Employers and applicants who rely on U.S. visas are watching closely as the government pairs faster processing claims with tougher checks meant to block security risks and fraud.

Administration’s stated approach

Noem, who oversees the Department of Homeland Security, framed the approach as preserving legal pathways but closing gaps. She said:

“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.”

The remarks underscore a priority on vetting procedures while keeping the visa programs central to how the United States 🇺🇸 manages migration for work, study, and family ties.

Faster processing paired with stricter screening

Administration officials say they have moved to speed up visas and green cards while strengthening security rules. Noem asserted that more foreign-born residents have become U.S. citizens under President Trump than before, with systems “streamlined” alongside stricter review at each step.

No new figures were provided in Wednesday’s remarks, but the message was clear: faster decisions paired with tighter screening to ensure applicants meet the law and do not pose risks.

Three review criteria for H-1B and green card cases

Noem described three criteria officials are focusing on when reviewing H-1B and green card cases:

1. Applicants must not support terrorist groups or organizations that hate America.
2. Applicants must show they are coming for real, legal reasons to work and live in the country.
3. Applicants must show they follow U.S. law and align with basic civic values.

While these points echo long-standing rules, the emphasis suggests a higher bar for credibility checks, social media review, and background screening as officers apply vetting procedures more strictly across categories.

H-1B system — selectivity and compliance

President Trump defended the H-1B system, which lets U.S. employers hire workers in specialty jobs, saying the aim is to “bring in the talents” needed for key industries. He stressed the White House is not seeking to flood the labor market; instead, the focus is on selectivity and compliance.

This dual message has:

• Reassured some employers who depend on technical workers.
• Raised questions from worker advocates worried about program misuse.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor are stepping up audits and site visits to ensure wages match job offers and that work locations and duties are real.

Enforcement actions and investigations

Officials say the compliance push is concrete. The administration has opened 175 H-1B abuse investigations targeting issues such as:

• Underpayment
• Fake or vacant worksites
• “Benching” without pay
• Misclassification to dodge wage rules or filing requirements

The message to staffing firms and end-clients is clear: keep complete records, pay the wage you promised, and make sure the worker is doing the job listed on the petition. Employers who deviate can face fines, debarment from future filings, or criminal referrals in the worst cases.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the stepped-up enforcement marks a notable shift from prior years, especially given the parallel push to speed decisions for compliant filers.

Financial changes: surcharge on certain petitions

Under Presidential Proclamation 10973, officials said a $100,000 surcharge now applies to certain H-1B petitions.

• The administration argues the surcharge will fund security screening and protect program integrity.
• Employers warn it will raise costs for already expensive filings, with small firms and startups likely to feel the impact most.

The White House maintains the surcharge aligns with President Trump’s pledge to target abuses while not closing doors to needed skills.

Border, asylum, and emergency authority

Noem placed these steps in the context of border and asylum policy, criticizing the prior Biden administration for having “opened the Southern border” and allowing “thousands of terrorists” into the country through abused asylum and visa programs.

The administration has continued a “Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens” first signed on January 23, 2025, and extended twice, most recently on September 22, 2025, for an additional 180 days. That finding:

• Unlocks emergency authority
• Supports faster deployment of resources to the border
• Expands flexibility in detention and processing

Practical effects for applicants and employers

For families and workers overseas, the headline remains: visa programs will continue but with added scrutiny.

Applicants should expect:

• Interviews that may probe ties to groups considered hostile to the United States
• Requests for extra proof of employment, experience, or funding
• Increased scrutiny for gaps in records, unclear travel histories, or weak employer documentation

Employers, especially in tech, health care, and research, are preparing for more document requests and longer preparation timelines even if the government reports faster decision speeds for well-documented cases.

Balancing openness and caution

The administration’s framing aims to balance:

• Openness for qualified applicants who fill economic needs
• Caution to prevent abuse and protect national security

Stakeholder positions:

• Employers: Argue H-1B workers and employment-based green cards fill critical shortages that affect productivity and growth.
• Labor groups: Want protection of wages and assurance that U.S. workers are not displaced.
• Government: Using enforcement and surcharges to respond to those concerns while keeping pathways open for qualified talent.

Guidance and next steps

Official information on program rules remains available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services H-1B guidance, which explains eligibility, employer obligations, and compliance steps.

While Wednesday’s remarks did not announce a new regulation or memo, they mark a clear policy posture: higher integrity checks, tougher enforcement, and public defense of legal pathways for those who qualify. In practical terms, expect:

• More attention on security screenings and on-site verification
• Ongoing actions against companies seen as gaming the system
• Potential legal challenges to enforcement measures and surcharges

Important: Faster processing claims will be tested against real-world caseloads at consulates and service centers. Enforcement actions and surcharges may face legal challenges, and the political debate will continue.

As the administration moves ahead, applicants and sponsors are adjusting to a climate where speed and scrutiny rise together, and where Kristi Noem’s promise of integrity serves as the guiding line for how cases are judged.