US Green Card overhaul: Republican Senator Tuberville's new America First bill proposes merit-based system, ends diversity lottery

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has introduced a bill seeking to overhaul the US legal immigration system by replacing the Diversity Visa Lottery with a merit-based system and limiting family-sponsored immigration to spouses and minor children.

The Americans First Immigration Act would also introduce a points-based system for immigration based on factors such as education, English proficiency, high-paying job offers, military service and extraordinary achievement.

Also Read: H-1B under the scanner: Trump admin signals major changes to visa system in 365 days


The bill was introduced in the US Senate on September 24 and seeks to give priority to American workers while changing how immigrants qualify for permanent residence. It has been presented as a proposal and does not change the current Green Card or immigration rules unless it passes Congress and becomes law.

What the proposed Green Card system would change

Under the bill, the existing employment-based immigration structure would be replaced with a points-based system. Applicants would earn points based on qualifications including education, English-language proficiency, high-paying US job offers, military service and extraordinary achievement.

Also Read: US expands visa social media checks to three more categories from October 1

The proposal also seeks to change the requirements employers must meet before hiring foreign workers. Employers would have to recruit American workers first and ensure that hiring a foreign worker does not displace a US worker.

Diversity Visa Lottery would end

The bill proposes ending the Diversity Visa Lottery and replacing it with a merit-based process.

Under the proposed system, factors such as skills, education, English proficiency and high-value job offers would be considered instead of selection through the diversity lottery.

Family immigration to focus on spouses, children

The legislation would also narrow family-sponsored immigration by limiting it to spouses and minor children.

The proposal seeks to shift the family-based immigration system away from broader family categories and towards what the senator's office describes as the "nuclear family".

Other changes proposed under the bill

The Americans First Immigration Act would also require immigrants to affirm constitutional principles and reject practices the bill describes as "un-American", including honour killings and female genital mutilation.

The proposal would preserve a capped allocation for religious workers while eliminating what the senator's office describes as lower-priority immigration pathways.

It would also require public colleges and universities to charge non-permanent residents at least the out-of-state tuition rate.

The legislation has been introduced in the Senate and would need to go through the congressional legislative process before any of its proposed changes could take effect.

The bill is a Senate version of legislation introduced earlier in the year by Republican Representative Barry Moore of Alabama, according to Tuberville's office.