A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the 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
The State-Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2026 aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a new nonimmigrant visa category. This category allows for aliens sponsored by a State to perform services, provide capital investment, or contribute to a State's economic development. Participating States must follow specific regulations regarding employment, residence, and labor needs. The bill includes provisions for visa renewals, employment authorization, and potential adjustments of status. It also establishes rules for required bonds and specific limitations on the number of visas available.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill grants states significant authority to regulate the employment and residence of sponsored nonimmigrants.
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill provides a mechanism for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residency.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill allows for new visa categories to support state economic development and enterprise operations.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill limits judicial review for visa denials and requires certain rights waivers.
- Scored -4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Nonimmigrants are barred from federal means-tested benefits.
- Scored -2
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
Nonimmigrants are prohibited from receiving federal means-tested benefits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Contribution and Service: Aliens can come to the United States temporarily to reside in a State to perform services, provide capital investment, or direct the operations of an enterprise to contribute to a State's economic development agenda (Section 2).
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Family Inclusion: The nonimmigrant status extends to the alien's spouse and minor children (Section 2).
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Employment Flexibility: A State-sponsored nonimmigrant is allowed to seek employment with an employer other than the one they were initially employed with (Section 3(a)(3)(4)(D)).
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Professional Advancement: Nonimmigrants are eligible to apply for occupational licenses, certificates, credential evaluations, and skills assessments regulated by the sponsoring State (Section 3(a)(3)(D)(iii)).
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Path to Permanent Residency: An alien with an approved immigrant petition may file an adjustment of status application and, while it is pending, have a lawful status and be eligible for employment and travel authorization (Section 3(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Public Benefits: State-sponsored nonimmigrants are prohibited from applying for or receiving any Federal means-tested benefits or entitlements (Section 3(a)(3)(12)(A)).
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Financial Burdens via Bonds: States may require nonimmigrants to pay a bond to incentivize compliance, and if a State has high violation rates, mandatory bonds of at least $4,000 may be required (Section 3(a)(3)(13)).
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Loss of Status for Movement: An alien's authorized status may be terminated if they reside or work outside of the State that sponsored them (Section 3(a)(3)(6)(C)(i)).
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Limited Legal Recourse: Judicial review for the denial or revocation of an application is limited to determinations regarding the constitutionality of the law, and certain State actions are not reviewable by Federal agencies or courts (Section s3(a)(3)(8) and Section 3(b)).
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Waiver of Rights: To receive status, an alien must waive the right to review or appeal certain determinations regarding admissibility at the port of entry or actions for removal (Section 3(a)(3)(9)(C)).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The program encourages capital investment and service to aid state economic development agendas. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill allows for new visa categories to support state economic development and enterprise operations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill facilitates access to specific labor pools to aid state economic development. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Provides a new visa category and a pathway to permanent residency. Would children be better off under this? — The status extends to the minor children of the nonimmigrant. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Nonimmigrants are barred from federal means-tested benefits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill provides a mechanism for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residency. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Nonimmigrants are prohibited from receiving federal means-tested benefits.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill grants states significant authority to regulate the employment and residence of sponsored nonimmigrants. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill limits judicial review for visa denials and requires certain rights waivers.
- 7/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona