New US bill proposes to eliminate the green card lottery and tighten visa rules

New US bill proposes to eliminate the green card lottery and tighten visa rules

United States lawmakers have introduced a new bill, known as the American Jobs First Act, which seeks to eliminate the Diversity Visa Program—commonly called the green card lottery—and implement stricter regulations for employment-based visas. The legislation focuses on significant reforms to the H-1B and L-1 visa categories to ensure that foreign labor does not undercut the wages or job opportunities of domestic workers.

According to Business Standard, the bill proposes a complete overhaul of how the U.S. manages its immigration system, shifting away from random selection processes toward a merit-based approach that favors high-skilled applicants.

This move comes at a time of increased scrutiny over U.S. entry requirements, as additional visa questions recently introduced by authorities have already made the application process more complex for many travelers.

Ending the green card lottery

One of the most significant changes in the bill is the total scrap of the Diversity Visa Program. This program currently awards up to 55,000 green cards annually to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

The Diversity Visa Program was originally established by the Immigration Act of 1990 to encourage immigration from underrepresented parts of the world. Its primary goal was to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S. by providing a legal pathway for people who lack family or employer sponsorship—connections that traditionally drive most U.S. immigration.

Julie Kirchner, senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute, backed the proposal to eliminate the lottery, stating:

"The Visa Lottery has a long, documented history of fraud and national security concerns and should be abolished. Under a merit-based system, any immigrant would have to demonstrate their skills, ability to assimilate, and how they will contribute to the U.S."

Proponents of the new bill, however, argue that the lottery system no longer serves the country's modern economic interests. They suggest it should be replaced by systems that prioritize specific skills and professional qualifications rather than random selection.

Stricter H-1B and L-1 visa requirements

The American Jobs First Act also targets the H-1B visa program, which is frequently used by the tech industry to hire specialized foreign talent. The bill proposes a mandatory minimum wage for H-1B visa holders, set at either $110,000 or the amount paid to an American worker in the same position, whichever is higher.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to strengthen the "nondisplacement" rules. This would require employers to prove that they have not fired and will not fire an American worker to replace them with a visa holder. The L-1 visa program, used for intra-company transfers, would also face similar restrictions to ensure it is not exploited to bypass standard hiring practices.

While the bill faces a lengthy legislative process before it can become law, its introduction signals a potential shift toward more restrictive and merit-based immigration policies in the U.S.