Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Proposed US Bill Could Overhaul Green Cards, Affecting Indian Professionals
A US senator has proposed changing how many people get work-based green cards.
Instead of using the current categories, the bill would rank applicants with a points system.
Points could come from pay, education, English skills, military service, or exceptional achievements.
People would need a US job offer and would have to meet age and testing rules.
Many people already waiting in green card lines could lose their place or have their petitions invalidated.
This could especially affect Indian professionals with approved petitions who have waited a long time.
The bill would also end the diversity visa lottery and reduce some family-based immigration.
Green cards would first be temporary and could be canceled under certain conditions.
Senator Tommy Tuberville introduced the Americans First Immigration Act to replace employment-based green cards with a points-based system.
The bill could invalidate many pending employment-based petitions and limit visas for previously approved petitions after existing category allocations are exhausted.
The proposed system would offer 192,000 immigrant visas annually worldwide, subject to reductions tied to certain migrants released from detention.
Applicants would need a qualifying US job, at least 16 points, eligible age, and a minimum English-proficiency score.
The legislation would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery, restrict family sponsorship, and impose new employment and tuition requirements.
- Who
- Senator Tommy Tuberville introduced the Americans First Immigration Act; it would affect employment-based and other immigrants.
- What
- The bill would replace employment-based green card categories with a points-based system and change several immigration pathways.
- When
- The legislation was introduced; its proposed changes would take effect as specified in the bill if enacted.
- Where
- The proposed system would apply to immigration to the United States.
- Why
- Tuberville said the current system does not adequately evaluate immigrants and that applicants should follow US laws and contribute to society.
Supporters’ rationale
Potentially affected applicants’ concerns
How immigrants should be selected
Supporters’ rationale
Tuberville argues that the current system is a “free-for-all” and that immigration should favor people who follow US laws and contribute to society.
Potentially affected applicants’ concerns
The proposed points system could disadvantage people already waiting under existing employment-based categories, especially Indian professionals with approved petitions.
Treatment of existing petitions
Supporters’ rationale
The bill would transition away from current employment-based categories and establish a new system favoring applicants with the highest scores.
Potentially affected applicants’ concerns
Many pending petitions could be rejected, denied, or invalidated, while previously approved petitions could receive visas only until the relevant annual allocation is exhausted.
Broader immigration restrictions
Supporters’ rationale
The legislation would prioritize employment-based selection, end the Diversity Visa Lottery, and limit family sponsorship to spouses and minor children.
Potentially affected applicants’ concerns
The changes would end green card routes for parents, siblings, and adult children of US citizens and impose additional conditions on immigrants and institutions serving international students.
- Bill
- Americans First Immigration Act
- Sponsor
- Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
- Proposed annual allocation
- 192,000 points-based immigrant visas worldwide
- Minimum points
- Applicants would need at least 16 points
- Age requirement
- Applicants would need to be between 18 and 51
- Employment requirement
- Applicants would need a genuine US job offer
- Initial green-card status
- Green cards issued through the system would initially be conditional for two years
- Other immigration changes
- The bill would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery and limit family-sponsored immigration to spouses and minor children