A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2408)
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The SMART Act proposes several major changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act. It establishes a new points-based system to prioritize skilled immigrants and creates a "Gold-Card" program for high-level investors. The bill eliminates the Diversity Visa Program and sets a yearly limit of 50,000 on refugee admissions. It also shifts family-sponsored immigration priorities toward the spouses and minor children of permanent residents. Additionally, the act introduces new nonimmigrant classifications for parents of U.S. citizens and implements reforms to H-1B visas.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The bill creates specific pathways for those willing to invest millions into the U.S. economy.
- Scored +6
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Large-scale investment opportunities are explicitly provided via the Gold-Card program.
- Scored +6
Would billionaires be better off under this?
The bill creates pathways for significant capital investment in commercial enterprises.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -6
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill reduces diversity visas, limits refugee admissions, and places new burdens on family sponsors.
- Scored -5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill limits refugee admissions and restricts points-based immigrants from federal benefits.
- Scored -5
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill restricts several existing pathways, including the Diversity Visa and certain family-based categories.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Skills-Based Immigration: The creation of a points system allows the United States to prioritize immigrants based on specific qualifications like education, age, and English proficiency (Section 5).
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Economic Investment: The "Gold-Card" immigrant visa program provides a pathway for individuals to invest at least $5,000,000 into new commercial enterprises that create full-time jobs (Section 10).
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Support for U.S. Citizen Families: The bill creates a nonimmigrant classification for parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old, allowing them to reside in the country for 5-year periods (Section 4).
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Tie-Breaking for High Achievers: Under the points system, applicants with doctorate degrees or equivalent are ranked higher in the eligible applicant pool (Section 5).
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Economic Growth through Employment: The Gold-Card program requires investments that must benefit the economy by creating jobs for U.S. citizens or legal residents (Section 10).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Elimination of Diversity Visas: The bill strikes the existing Diversity Visa Program, which would remove that specific path to immigration (Section 2).
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Reduced Refugee Admissions: The bill sets a maximum limit of 50,000 admissions for refugees in any given fiscal year (Section 3).
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Restrictions on Family Immigration: Family-sponsored immigration is redefined to focus on the spouses and minor children of permanent residents, which may impact other family-based categories (Section 4).
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Burdens on Family Sponsors: Under the new nonimmigrant status for parents of citizens, the sponsoring U.S. citizen is responsible for the parent's support and must arrange health insurance at no cost to the parent (Section 4).
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Limitations on Public Benefits: Individuals admitted under the points-based system and their entire households are ineligible for Federal means-tested public benefits for five years (Section 5).
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Employment Restrictions for Parents: Nonimmigrants admitted as parents of U.S. citizens are not authorized to be employed in the United States (Section 4).
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Strict Educational Requirements for Students: Institutions under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program must require nonimmigrants to attend in-person classes at least 3 days per week (Section 7).
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 billionaires be better off under this? — The bill creates pathways for significant capital investment in commercial enterprises. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The bill creates specific pathways for those willing to invest millions into the U.S. economy. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Large-scale investment opportunities are explicitly provided via the Gold-Card program. Would business owners be better off under this? — The Gold-Card program provides opportunities for high-level investors and commercial entrepreneurs. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The skills-based and investment-based systems favor high-earning, highly educated individuals. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill reduces diversity visas, limits refugee admissions, and places new burdens on family sponsors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill limits refugee admissions and restricts points-based immigrants from federal benefits. Would students be better off under this? — The bill imposes stricter in-person attendance requirements for student visas.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The Gold-Card program incentivizes investment that must create full-time jobs for residents. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to bolster the economy through skills-based immigration and large-scale capital investments.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal authority over immigration quotas and point systems.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill mandates the use of AI to analyze travel and immigration records.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill increases enforcement via AI analysis of visa overstays. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill restricts several existing pathways, including the Diversity Visa and certain family-based categories.
- 6/3/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2408)
- 5/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House