A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation overhauls the United States immigration system by shifting the focus toward a skills-based points system and away from family-sponsored immigration and diversity programs. It establishes a new government board to determine labor needs and set caps on employment-based visas and temporary worker programs. The bill limits general family-sponsored immigration strictly to spouses and minor children under the age of 18 for new petitions. It eliminates the traditional diversity visa lottery program entirely. Additionally, the measure creates a new "Gold-Card" visa program for individuals or corporations willing to pay substantial fees. Finally, it implements artificial intelligence tools to track and identify visa overstays.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +6
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The newly created Gold-Card visa program provides an expedited pathway to residency for wealthy individuals willing to pay substantial fees.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners gain streamlined access to global high-skilled labor through the new points system and Gold-Card program.
- Scored +4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Younger skilled workers benefit from higher point allocations for individuals in prime working-age brackets.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -6
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The legislation severely restricts family-sponsored immigration and eliminates the diversity visa program, narrowing overall pathways to permanent residency.
- Scored -4
Would immigrants be better off under this?
While high-skilled applicants benefit, the complete elimination of the diversity visa and strict limits on family-sponsored immigration negatively impact overall immigrant opportunities.
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The complex points system and salary requirements may make it harder for smaller businesses to navigate employment-based immigration compared to large corporations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Encouragement of High-Skilled Talent: Under Section 5, the bill establishes a points system that awards additional points for higher educational degrees, high English language proficiency, and higher salary offers, which helps attract skilled individuals who can contribute to the economy.
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Protection Against Worker Displacement: Under Section 5, prospective employers must submit an attestation confirming that the job offer will not displace a United States worker or lead to the layoff of a domestic worker in an equivalent job, offering a safeguard for current American workers.
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Modernized Visa Portability: Under Section 6, nonimmigrant workers are given greater flexibility to accept new employment regardless of the specific industry they were originally authorized to work in, reducing restrictions for workers changing jobs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction of Family Reunification: Under Section 3, family-sponsored immigration is strictly limited to spouses and minor children under 18, and other family preference categories are eliminated, which prevents citizens and permanent residents from bringing parents, adult children, or siblings to the United States.
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Elimination of the Diversity Visa Program: Under Section 2, the entire Diversity Visa Program is eliminated, removing a pathway to legal permanent residency for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
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Bar on Public Benefits: Under Section 5, employment-based immigrants and their household members are explicitly barred from receiving any Federal means-tested public benefits, potentially leaving vulnerable families without basic government assistance during times of financial hardship.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The newly created Gold-Card visa program provides an expedited pathway to residency for wealthy individuals willing to pay substantial fees. Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners gain streamlined access to global high-skilled labor through the new points system and Gold-Card program. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Younger skilled workers benefit from higher point allocations for individuals in prime working-age brackets. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The elimination of per-country caps and a focus on a skills-based points system may benefit applicants from countries with high volumes of high-skilled professionals. Would immigrants be better off under this? — While high-skilled applicants benefit, the complete elimination of the diversity visa and strict limits on family-sponsored immigration negatively impact overall immigrant opportunities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Shifting toward a skills-based immigration points system and high-wage criteria is designed to attract talent that boosts productivity and economic growth. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Substantial fees collected from the Gold-Card visa program and employment-based applications generate significant federal revenue. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes the SMART Board to determine labor needs and allocate employment-based visas to support industries with workforce shortages. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The complex points system and salary requirements may make it harder for smaller businesses to navigate employment-based immigration compared to large corporations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes a new federal board within the Department of Commerce to centrally manage labor needs and visa allocations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates comprehensive annual reports to Congress regarding visa issuances, applicant demographics, and fiscal impacts.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The introduction of AI-driven systems to monitor immigration and travel records enhances technological tracking capabilities. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Streamlining pathways for high-skilled international talent and corporate investors can strengthen global economic ties.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill implements artificial intelligence tools to track and identify visa overstays and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The legislation severely restricts family-sponsored immigration and eliminates the diversity visa program, narrowing overall pathways to permanent residency. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Barring employment-based immigrants and their households from federal means-tested public benefits may increase financial vulnerability during hardships.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The points system explicitly rewards applicants with degrees from institutions with high research and development expenditures, encouraging scientific talent.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.