Stephen Miller to take over as White House chief of staff
The appointment of the immigration hardliner signals Donald Trump may not moderate his domestic agenda following midterm setbacks.
Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as the White House chief of staff, according to reports by the Times of India. Miller will replace Susie Wiles and take over the position on November 9.
The appointment follows the Republican Party losing control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. Miller has been a close adviser to Trump since his 2016 presidential campaign and is described as an architect of the America First programme.
As chief of staff, Miller will act as a gatekeeper to the Oval Office and manage senior personnel. While the role lacks independent constitutional authority, it influences how the president exercises power and coordinates policy discussions.
Miller has been involved in shaping policies regarding immigration enforcement, federal power, and domestic security. He was instrumental in designing the administration's family separation policy and mass deportation programme.
For India, the appointment raises questions regarding H-1B visas and skilled-worker mobility. In fiscal 2025, India-born beneficiaries accounted for approximately 70 per cent of approved H-1B petitions, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services figures.
The administration has already introduced a $100,000 payment requirement for certain new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US. Reuters has reported that H-1B restrictions could encourage American companies to shift high-value work to Indian global capability centres.
