On Monday's episode of Newsmax TV's show "Wake Up America," Chad Wolf, former acting Homeland Security Secretary under the Trump administration, discussed challenges within the H-1B visa program and highlighted the hurdles foreign students face when trying to remain in the United States after completing their education. Wolf said, "We should be encouraging them to stay here and contribute based on merit—not through a lottery system or by country of origin, but by merit."
Co-host Marc Lotter noted, "The President, along with figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have expressed the view that foreign students who study at America’s top institutions should stay, apply their knowledge within U.S. companies, and benefit the American economy instead of taking that expertise back to countries like India or even potential adversaries such as China. This is the kind of reform many are advocating for."
Wolf agreed to, stating, "Absolutely. Many of these students who come here and gain an education want to stay and start businesses, which is a significant benefit to the U.S. economy. Unfortunately, we make that process very difficult, pushing them to return to their home countries where they often establish entrepreneurial ventures. We need to prioritize retaining the best and brightest here. By allowing them to complete advanced degrees and stay in the U.S., we’re fostering innovation and economic growth. Again, this approach should be merit-based—not a random lottery or dependent on country of origin. By adopting this strategy, we can secure a stronger future for the U.S."