President-elect Donald Trump has selected immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his White House Deputy Chief of Staff for policy, solidifying his administration’s intent to prioritize restrictive immigration measures. Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed the appointment on Monday, praising Miller as “another fantastic pick by the president” in a post on X.
Miller, a close Trump ally, previously served as senior adviser and director of speechwriting during Trump’s first term. He played a central role in controversial policies such as the Muslim travel ban and the 2018 family separation initiative, which drew widespread criticism.
A Strong Stand on Immigration and H-1B Visas
Throughout Trump’s 2024 campaign, Miller was a prominent figure at rallies, championing anti-immigration rhetoric. At a high-profile rally in Madison Square Garden, attended by nearly 19,500 supporters, he declared, “America is for Americans and Americans only” and vowed to “restore America to the true Americans.”
In a New York Times interview last year, Miller outlined a vision for stringent immigration policies should Trump win re-election. His proposals included detaining undocumented immigrants in camps while awaiting expulsion and imposing strict restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration.
Miller’s influence during Trump’s first administration was evident in initiatives like the Cruz-Sessions bill, which sought to prevent international students holding bachelor’s or master’s degrees from working in H-1B status for a decade. Now, in his new role, he is expected to continue advocating for curbs on H-1B visas, arguing that the program displaces American workers and suppresses wages.
The Trump Administration’s Immigration Record
Trump’s first term saw a stark departure from economic consensus, which generally recognizes the benefits of skilled immigration to the U.S. economy. His administration introduced policies that led to increased visa denial rates and tightened the definition of “specialty occupation,” limiting H-1B eligibility.
In 2020, a Trump administration rule aimed at restricting H-1B access was blocked by the courts for violating the Administrative Procedure Act. This proposed regulation sought to narrow the criteria for specialty occupations and prevent companies from hiring foreign-born professionals, including scientists and engineers. Forbes reported that if President Joe Biden’s administration fails to finalize its H-1B modernization rule before leaving office, Trump could implement a more restrictive version aligned with his administration’s priorities.
During Trump’s first term, denial rates for H-1B petitions rose sharply—from 6% in fiscal year 2015 to 24% in 2018 and 21% in 2019—following memos and policy guidance issued by his administration. After a legal settlement in 2020, denial rates dropped back to pre-Trump levels, reaching 4% in fiscal year 2021 and 2.2% in 2022, according to Forbes.
A Broader Approach to Restrictive Immigration
To further his immigration agenda, Trump has also appointed Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his administration’s “Border Czar.” Homan will oversee border security, as well as maritime and aviation measures, and direct deportation policies. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that Homan would take charge of ensuring the security of U.S. borders.
Together, Miller and Homan are expected to spearhead the administration’s hardline immigration policies, focusing on measures to limit both legal and illegal immigration.
Prospects for Immigration Policies in Trump’s Second Term
The Trump administration’s approach contrasts starkly with the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to modernize H-1B regulations. Biden’s proposed rule, announced in October 2023, aimed to make the program more accessible and aligned with economic demands. However, Forbes suggested that a renewed Trump administration would likely issue a far stricter rule, reversing much of Biden’s progress.
The implications of Miller and Homan’s appointments are clear: a continuation of the Trump administration’s restrictive stance on immigration, with an emphasis on limiting the use of H-1B visas. For many skilled foreign nationals, this visa represents the only viable path to long-term employment in the United States.
As Trump prepares to take office, his team’s appointments signal a resolute commitment to the immigration policies that defined his first term, with a renewed focus on reshaping the landscape for both legal and illegal immigrants.
