The Charlie Kirk Show Fixing the Most Important Gov't Agency You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
Sep 5, 2025
Joe Edlow, former Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Trump, shares his bold initiatives to restore integrity to immigration. He discusses the controversial decision to hire armed agents to combat fraud and the need for reforms in the naturalization process. Edlow highlights the importance of English proficiency and civic understanding in citizenship evaluations. Additionally, he delves into the challenges posed by illegal immigration on public safety in Illinois, stressing the urgency for collaborative solutions with state and federal leadership.
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USCIS Builds Its Own Investigative Force
- Joe Edlow says USCIS will hire special agents to investigate and take fraud cases to prosecution without referring other agencies.
- The agency aims to target large-scale fraud networks including attorneys and preparers to restore system integrity.
Go After The Root Actors
- Edlow explains large-scale immigration fraud often involves attorneys, preparers, and document mills.
- Targeting those actors can produce broader impact than focusing solely on individual migrants.
System Rated 'F' And Overwhelmed
- Edlow graded the system an F and blames prior administration surges that overwhelmed USCIS.
- He emphasizes restoring legal compliance and untangling backlogs rather than chasing raw approval numbers.