Will Trump’s Second Term Reshape U.S. Immigration Policies for Investors and Entrepreneurs in 2025?

With Trump’s second term already underway, many are closely watching for potential changes to U.S. immigration policies. If you're planning to move to the U.S., invest in a business, or secure a visa, the uncertainty surrounding these shifts can feel overwhelming. We understand—your future is at stake.

"What’s going to happen to U.S. immigration in 2025?" “Is it still a good time to explore Trump investor visas like the E-2 and EB-5 visas?” “Will green card pathways change under Trump?” These are real concerns we hear every day at Visa Franchise from investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.

This article is here to help you prepare. We’ll explore how Trump’s second term immigration policies might impact programs like the EB-5 investor visa, E-2 visa, and pathways to a U.S. green card under Trump. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a skilled worker, we’ll break down what’s on the horizon — no jargon, just actionable insights to navigate this critical time.

Key Immigration Policies in Trump’s First Term

During his first presidency, Trump’s immigration policies were characterized by a firm stance on curbing illegal immigration and reforming employment-based visa programs. This approach was crystallized in the “Buy American, Hire American” executive order, signed in April 2017.

The order aimed to protect American workers and industries by enforcing two key principles: increasing the use of American-made goods in federal procurement and tightening the rules around employment-based visas to prevent the displacement of U.S. workers.

H-1B Visa Program

The H-1B visa program, intended for foreign professionals in specialty occupations, faced significant scrutiny during President Trump’s first term. The denial rate for H-1B petitions increased dramatically, rising from 6% in FY 2015 to 24% in FY 2018, according to American Immigration Council.

This spike in denials stemmed from stricter interpretations of what constitutes a "specialty occupation" and heightened requirements for employers to justify the need for foreign workers.

The administration's goal was to ensure that the program did not displace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor. Reflecting this stance, President Trump stated:

“We are going to defend our workers, protect our jobs, and finally put America first.”

EB-5 Investor Visa Program

During President Trump’s first term, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program remained largely unaffected in terms of eligibility and viability criteria. Unlike other immigration programs that faced significant reforms, the EB-5 program’s core requirements, including the minimum investment thresholds and job creation criteria, remained stable.

However, the program faced substantial challenges related to processing times. The average processing time for Form I-526 (Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor) increased to 18.6 months, while Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status) extended to 30 months.

Interestingly, real estate projects linked to Trump’s brand benefited from the EB-5 program. For example, the Trump Bay Street project, developed by Kushner Companies, relied on EB-5 funding. Trump’s openness to wealthy foreigners investing in job-creating projects highlighted his focus on economic growth.

E-2 Visa for Entrepreneurs

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa remained a viable option for foreign entrepreneurs. In 2015, approximately 41,000 E-2 visas were issued, and this number continued to grow under Trump’s first term, as highlighted by Investment Migration Insider. Unlike other visas, the E-2 visa has no cap, making it an attractive pathway for investors seeking to establish businesses in the U.S.

Trump's pro-business stance was clear when he stated:

“I want talented people to come into this country -- to work hard and to become citizens. Silicon Valley needs engineers, etc.,”.

According to a U.S. government report, the U.S. franchise industry — which supports over 21 million jobs and contributes $2.3 trillion to the economy — aligns well with Trump’s vision of job creation and economic prosperity.

Anticipated Immigration Policies Changes for 2025

As we look ahead to Trump's second presidency, several key trends and policies are expected to shape the immigration landscape.

These initiatives will likely build on the foundations of the first term, with an emphasis on protecting American workers, enhancing compliance, and favoring merit-based immigration.

Stricter H-1B Visa Requirements

One of the central pillars of Trump immigration policy green card initiatives will be tightening the eligibility criteria for the H-1B visa program. Proposed changes include:

1. Raising Wage Thresholds: Employers may need to pay higher salaries to H-1B workers to ensure they are not undercutting American workers.
2. Redefining Specialty Occupations: The definition of “specialty occupation” could be further narrowed, making it more challenging for applicants to qualify.

These measures aim to prioritize highly skilled and high-paid professionals.

Merit-Based Immigration System

A cornerstone of Trump’s second-term vision is a shift towards a merit-based immigration system, which would prioritize immigrants based on their education, skills, and potential economic contributions rather than family ties. This approach aims to retain the best and brightest minds who can drive innovation and economic growth in the United States.

Trump highlighted the flaws in the current system during a speech, stating:

“Under the senseless rules of the current system, we’re not able to give preference to a doctor, a researcher, a student who graduated number one in his class from the finest colleges in the world — anybody. We’re not able to take care of it. We’re not able to make those incredible breakthroughs. If somebody graduates top of their class from the best college, sorry, go back to your country. We want to keep them here.”

He further emphasized the need to attract top talent, saying:

“Companies are moving offices to other countries because our immigration rules prevent them from retaining highly skilled and even, if I might, totally brilliant people. We discriminate against genius. We discriminate against brilliance. We won’t anymore, once we get this passed.”

Under such a system, visa categories like the O-1 visa, which is designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities in fields such as science, education, and the arts, would likely see increased importance. By favoring these high-achieving applicants, Trump’s vision aims to create an immigration policy that directly supports innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic prosperity.

Updates to Investor Visas: E-2 and EB-5

Investor visas are expected to remain a focus in the second term, with some potential changes:

1. E-2 Visa: The E-2 visa program is unlikely to face major reforms. Trump’s pro-business stance and support for small and mid-sized businesses suggest that the E-2 visa will continue to be a preferred option for entrepreneurs.
2. EB-5 Program: While the EB-5 visa program will likely remain, additional measures to enhance transparency and prevent fraud may be introduced.

Impact on the U.S. Economy and Businesses

Donald Trump’s second-term immigration agenda, focused on a merit-based system and stricter visa regulations, is likely to have mixed effects on the U.S. economy and businesses. By prioritizing highly skilled immigrants and those who can contribute to economic growth, sectors like technology, healthcare, and engineering may benefit from a more streamlined process for attracting top global talent.

However, industries that rely on lower-skilled foreign labor, such as hospitality, agriculture, and construction, may face significant challenges. Stricter eligibility criteria and heightened enforcement could exacerbate existing labor shortages, leading to higher operational costs and slower growth.

Conclusion

The future of U.S. immigration remains a subject of intense debate and interest. Immigration policies are shaped by each administration, leading to ongoing shifts, uncertainties, and discussions. To illustrate just how significant this issue has become, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that net immigration in 2023 was 3.3 million, far exceeding the pre-pandemic projection of 1 million. Furthermore, nearly 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards in 2023, underscoring the growing importance and impact of immigration on the nation’s demographic and economic landscape.

Doubts and concerns are natural, but with the right guidance and support, immigrating to the U.S. remains achievable. At Visa Franchise, we are here to help you navigate these complexities and make your journey as smooth as possible.

If you’re seeking solutions or have questions, please reach out to us via WhatsApp or email. We would be more than happy to assist you in achieving your immigration and investment goals. We hope this article has provided clarity and confidence as you plan your next steps.