‘America First’immigration overhaul bill would codify Trump’s campaign promises once and for all

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept.19, 2025.The orders established the “Trump Gold Card” visa program and introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas.The “Trump Gold Card” allows foreign nationals permanent residency and a pathway to U.S.citizenship for a $1 million investment in the United States.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Julie Kirchner, a senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, supports Moore’s bill, particularly the measure to eliminate lottery visas.

“The VisaLotteryhas 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 U.S.,�

One of the other provisions in Moore’s bill seeks to put “American workers first” by overhauling the current employment-based immigration visa program and replacing it with apoints-based merit system.Under the new points-based system, applicants are ranked and will receive points on factors such as their level of English proficiency, education, their level of compensation, military service and age.All applicants must have a salary that is at least 200% above the median wage of the state they’ll reside in, and they must meet English proficiency requirements.

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Employers must also prove that they “took good faith steps” in recruiting American workers for the job offered to the foreign worker for equal compensation.Thelegislationalso requires employers to share with the government the name and contact information of American workers who were offered the job and their offered wage.The Department of Labor will oversee and investigate compliance.

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And migrants offered a visa are required to sign a petition pledging they support the U.S.Constitution and its values.The pledge also includes a requirement to disavow political groups or social groups that partake in honor killings, female infanticide or genital mutilation.

The Trump administration says foreign student visa vetting will be a continued process rather than a one-time check.(iStock)

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“Ideally the government has the information in advance to bar these people from immigrating to the U.S.,” Kirchner said.“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 fordeportationor denaturalization.”

The act would alsocurtail family-sponsored immigrationto only be accessible to spouses of U.S.citizens, minor children, spouses of green card holders and children of green card holders.Parents, siblings, and adult children of U.S.citizens are barred.

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“What the bill does is eliminate the ability of extended family members to get a preference under the law,” Kirchner said.“Extended family members can still apply – but they would have to do so based on their own skills, merit, and ability to assimilate.”