For too long, America’s immigration system has been driven by outdated policies and arbitrary decisions that fail to serve the people it’s supposed to benefit. President Trump and his administration are working tirelessly to secure our border and fix the system, but they need Congress’ help codifying these policies.
The American people deserve an immigration system that puts their interests first - one that punishes lawbreakers, strengthens our economy, protects taxpayers, and preserves the integrity of the nuclear family. That’s exactly what my bill, the Americans First Immigration Act, delivers.
At its core, this legislation is about restoring common sense. Immigration policy should prioritize American workers, American families, and our national interest - not random chance, and certainly not those who come here illegally.
Today’s system too often does the opposite, allowing loopholes and misaligned incentives to undermine wages and job opportunities for our own citizens. This legislation makes it clear, before employers look overseas, they must first recruit and prioritize American workers - including a requirement to conduct good-faith recruitment, document every applicant, and offer the job to any equally or more qualified American worker. Employers are also prohibited from laying off U.S. workers within 90 days before or during the employment of a foreign hire, and must pay the promised wage for at least three years.
Limited and legal immigration should complement our workforce, not compete with it.
A key reform in this bill is ending the diversity visa lottery - a program that hands out visas based purely on chance rather than merit. That approach doesn’t serve our economy or our security. Instead, we replace it with a system that selects individuals based on their ability to contribute, succeed, and strengthen our nation. This is about moving from randomization to responsibility. In its place, the bill allocates up to 3,000 visas annually for religious workers and eliminates the broader lottery system entirely.
We also refocus immigration on the nuclear family - spouses and minor children - so we can preserve family unity without allowing the system to be overwhelmed by extended chain migration. Strong families are essential to strong communities, and this bill protects that principle while ensuring fairness and sustainability. The legislation sets a worldwide cap on nuclear family-sponsored immigrants per year, while removing eligibility for extended categories such as parents and adult relatives.
The Americans First Immigration Act establishes a merit-based system that rewards hard work, skills, and commitment to our nation.
Whether it’s a high-paying job offer, advanced education, English proficiency, or military service, we should welcome those who are prepared to contribute and succeed. My legislation creates a points-based system capped at 192,000 immigrants annually, requiring applicants to demonstrate English proficiency and fall within a working-age range of 18 to 51 years old. Job offers must meet strict wage thresholds - at least 150% to 200% of the median state wage - ensuring immigrants are filling high-value roles.
This legislation ensures immigrants respect our laws and uphold our Constitution. Applicants must formally attest to supporting the Constitution and not participating in acts like persecution, honor killings, or female genital mutilation.
Employers who violate the law face serious consequences, including fines of up to $5,000 per violation, $15,000 for willful violations, and $50,000 if an American worker is displaced, along with potential bans on hiring foreign workers for up to 15 years.
The Americans First Immigration Act restores fairness, reinforces order, and ensures our immigration system finally works for the American people - not against them.
