No Green Card Lottery, No Parent Sponsorship — New US Immigration Bill Tabled

House Republicans have introduced the Americans First Immigration Act, a bill that proposes major changes to the US legal immigration system, including the removal of existing programmes and stricter entry criteria.

The legislation, put forward by Representative Barry Moore, would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery. This programme has historically issued up to 50,000 visas each year to applicants from countries with low levels of immigration to the United States. Although it has been suspended since late 2025, the bill seeks to end it permanently. 

In its place, the proposal outlines a merit-based system that assigns points based on education, English language ability, military service, and expected earnings.

Under the proposed system, applicants would need to meet defined thresholds to qualify. 

One requirement is that their projected salary must be at least twice the median wage in the state where they intend to work. The bill aims to prioritise individuals who can demonstrate economic contribution.

The proposal also introduces tighter limits on family-sponsored immigration. Eligibility would be restricted to spouses and minor children of US citizens and permanent residents. Current provisions that allow parents, siblings, and adult children to apply would be removed. The bill retains a provision for religious workers, preserving the existing annual allocation of 3,000 visas.

Supporters of the measure describe it as a reform designed to address weaknesses in the current system. Julie Kirchner of the America First Policy Institute said the changes would reduce fraud risks and strengthen national security. She said that a merit-based framework would require applicants to show their skills, ability to integrate, and potential contribution to the country.