A new immigration proposal in the United States is set to significantly reshape how foreign nationals obtain permanent residency, with plans to eliminate the long-standing green card lottery and impose stricter visa norms, according to recent reports. The legislation, titled the Americans First Immigration Act, has been introduced by Republican Congressman Barry Moore and is being projected as a major shift towards a merit-based immigration system.
The proposed law aims to overhaul the current immigration framework by prioritising skilled workers and reducing pathways that rely on family ties or random selection. One of its most notable provisions is the scrapping of the Diversity Visa Programme, commonly known as the green card lottery. This programme has historically allowed up to 50,000 individuals annually from countries with low immigration rates to secure permanent residency in the US through a random draw.
Under the new bill, this lottery system would be replaced by a points-based model that evaluates applicants on factors such as education, English proficiency, age, salary levels and other indicators of economic contribution. Lawmakers backing the proposal argue that such a system would ensure that immigrants entering the country are better equipped to integrate into the workforce and contribute to economic growth.
In addition to ending the lottery, the legislation also proposes significant restrictions on family-based immigration. At present, US citizens and green card holders can sponsor a wide range of relatives, including parents, siblings and adult children. However, the new proposal seeks to limit sponsorship primarily to immediate family members such as spouses and minor children, effectively narrowing legal migration channels.
Supporters of the bill have framed it as a move to prioritise American workers and reduce what they describe as loopholes in the existing system. The proposal aligns closely with the broader “America First” immigration agenda that emphasises economic merit over diversity or family reunification. Proponents argue that shifting to a skills-based system will strengthen the domestic labour market and ensure that immigration policies serve national interests.
However, the proposed changes have sparked concern among immigration advocates and policy experts. Critics warn that eliminating the diversity lottery could disproportionately affect applicants from underrepresented regions, reducing opportunities for individuals who lack access to high-skilled employment pathways. Similarly, tightening family sponsorship rules could make it more difficult for immigrant families to reunite, a cornerstone of US immigration policy for decades.
The bill also comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policies in recent months, including earlier moves to suspend the diversity visa programme and impose additional restrictions on visa processing. Observers note that if enacted, the Americans First Immigration Act could mark one of the most significant shifts in US immigration policy in recent years, fundamentally altering both the scale and composition of legal immigration into the country.
While the legislation is still at a proposal stage and would require approval from Congress to become law, it has already triggered a wider debate over the future direction of immigration in the United States, particularly the balance between economic priorities and humanitarian considerations.
