President Donald Trump and his administration have made revamping the H1-B visa program a top priority along with its impressive crackdown on illegal immigration and the quashing of former President Joe Biden's border crisis.

According to Newsweek, the proposed changes to the H1-B visa program have triggered many, including First Lady Melania Trump's former immigration attorney.

Attorney Michael Wildes, who once represented Melania Trump as she worked through the process of gaining U.S. citizenship, condemned the proposed changes to the program.

One of the changes would include getting rid of the current H1-B "lottery" system, which Wildes claims will harm small businesses, rural employers and universities across the country.

What's happening?

The H1-B visa program has largely meant an influx of skilled workers for the tech sector, and the lottery system was put in place as the demand for the visas always exceeds the allotted supply.

The White House and President Trump are now looking at getting rid of the lottery system and, instead, handing out the visas on more of a traditional merit system, especially for those with advanced degrees and credentials.

Critics of the idea admit that wealthy tech companies would benefit from such changes, but argue that small businesses and others who can't afford to pay high wages to the applicants would be harmed.

Newsweek noted:

Opponents warn the move may also deter international students, who often hope to stay in the U.S. after graduation. Without that incentive, universities could lose out on tuition revenue, driving up costs for American students. Economists say the proposal could deepen workforce inequality, making it a flashpoint not only for immigration, but also for broader economic and education policy.

The new proposed system, according to the Department of Homeland Security, would be a "weighted selection process."

The outlet noted that the "visas would be awarded to applicants based on criteria such as wage levels or educational background."

Wildes weighs in

The first lady's former immigration lawyer shared his thoughts on the proposed changes.

"It's striking that the administration didn't address this issue when coming into office. For transparency's sake, you'll see online that I've represented Mrs. Trump, including her U.S. citizenship, her sisters' green cards, as well as matters involving Trump models and Miss Universe," he said.

"Today, however, I speak in my capacity as a professor teaching business immigration law, and as a second-generation immigration lawyer continuing the practice my father began 65 years ago.

"A ranked H-1B lottery system would affect small- to medium-sized enterprises, as well as rural employers, very negatively. A lot of rural enterprises depend on this. It could affect international students and their enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities."