No visa lottery, limited family entry: ‘Americans First Act’ could be a setback for immigrants

A new immigration bill in US is proposing to scrap the green card lottery and limit family-based visas. It’s aim is to shift more focus to a merit-driven system.The proposed “Americans First Immigration Act” was introduced by Republican Congressman Barry Moore and seeks to overhaul the country’s legal immigration framework by prioritising high-skilled workers and tightening eligibility rules. If passed, the legislation would end the diversity visa lottery programme and restrict family sponsorship to immediate relatives.Under the bill, US citizens would no longer be able to sponsor parents, siblings or adult children for immigration. Family-based visas would be limited to spouses and minor children of citizens, as well as spouses and children of green card holders. Extended family members could still apply, but only through merit-based pathways.Moore said in a statement to Fox News: “My bill draws a hard line – the days of putting illegals, random diversity lotteries and foreign labor ahead of American workers are over,”The MAGA leader added: “Our immigration system should serve the American people, not undercut them, and that means selecting individuals who will strengthen our economy, respect our laws, and share our values.”The 70-page proposal also aims to formalise several immigration measures associated with US President Donald Trump’s policies. It follows earlier actions such as the pausing of the green card lottery programme in December 2025 and restrictions on H1B1 work visas introduced last year.At the centre of the bill is a move to a points-based system. People applying to immigrate would be judged on factors like how well they speak English, their education, salary, age and any military service. To be eligible, they must have a job offer that pays at least double the average wage in the state where they plan to live.Employers would also have to follow stricter rules. They must show they really tried to hire American workers before giving the job to someone from another country. They would need to share details of the US candidates they considered, including how much pay was offered. The Department of Labor would check that these rules are followed.“If you want to come to the United States, you should earn it through merit, not diversity lotteries or loopholes. The Americans First Immigration Act restores fairness and accountability by protecting American jobs, prioritizing the nuclear family and ensuring that every immigrant admitted is prepared to contribute and succeed,” Moore told Fox News.The bill also introduces a mandatory pledge for incoming migrants. Applicants would need to affirm support for the US Constitution and renounce associations with groups involved in practices such as honour killings, female infanticide or genital mutilation.Julie Kirchner, senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, backed the proposal, particularly the move to eliminate the diversity visa scheme. “The Visa Lottery has a long, documented history of fraud and national security concerns and should be abolished. Under a merit-based, America First system, any immigrant would have to demonstrate their skills, ability to assimilate, and how they will contribute to the US,” she said.She added that false declarations by migrants could lead to deportation or even loss of citizenship. “Ideally the government has the information in advance to bar these people from immigrating to the US,” Kirchner said.She added: “However, if a newly-arrived immigrant engages in behavior that demonstrates the statements he made to our immigration agencies were false, that can become the basis for deportation or denaturalization.”The bill retains a limited provision for religious worker visas capped at 3,000 annually.