US Plans Global Asylum Rules Overhaul After Trump UN Speech

President Donald Trump's administration is actively pursuing significant reforms in U.S. immigration and asylum policies. The administration aims to revamp global asylum rules, citing widespread abuse and manipulation of the current system, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau leading efforts to build international consensus despite concerns from human rights groups about potential erosion of asylum protections. Domestically, Trump proposes replacing the existing EB-1 and EB-2 visa categories with a "Gold Card" program, allowing expedited citizenship for immigrants who contribute $1 million individually or $2 million through corporate sponsorship, focusing on those with extraordinary abilities. Additionally, the administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled worker visas and proposed a new weighted selection system prioritizing higher wages, aiming to protect American workers from wage competition. These H-1B changes have sparked industry backlash, particularly from tech firms reliant on skilled foreign workers, with potential economic effects on thousands of small businesses and diplomatic tensions, especially with India, the largest recipient of these visas. Public commentary on the H-1B reforms is open, and the changes may take effect as early as the 2026 lottery.