What does Preamble of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'A BILL To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a national-interest standard for immigration, end certain family-sponsored immigration categories, revise standards relating to good moral character, eliminate the diversity immigrant category, revise public-charge and sponsor-support rules, revise naturalization requirements, reform employment-based immigration and H-1B visas, eliminate Optional Practical Training absent express statutory authorization, revise asylum procedures, require employment eligibility verification, establish additional penalties relating to unlawful presence and visa overstays, revise parole authority, and for other purposes.' proposes amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act. The bill aims to establish a national-interest standard for immigration. Proposed changes include ending certain family-sponsored immigration categories and revising standards related to good moral character. The bill seeks to eliminate the diversity immigrant category and revise public-charge and sponsor-support rules. It also proposes revisions to naturalization requirements, employment-based immigration, H-1B visas, and Optional Practical Training. Further revisions are planned for asylum procedures, employment eligibility verification, and parole authority. The bill intends to establish additional penalties for unlawful presence and visa overstays.

What does FINDINGS. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section outlines findings related to the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (Hart-Celler Act). The Hart-Celler Act replaced national origins quotas with a preference system prioritizing extended family-based immigration. The Act's consequences have reportedly differed from its original proponents' goals, including increased chain migration, the creation of the diversity visa lottery, and higher overall immigration levels. The findings indicate that the immigration system has placed strain on public resources, suppressed wages, and challenged assimilation and social cohesion. Congress asserts its plenary authority to establish immigration policy aligned with the economic, cultural, and national security interests of the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act uses the concept of 'national interest' but lacks a clear statutory standard for employment-based immigration selections. The section emphasizes that clear definitions and evidentiary rules are important for transparency and consistent administration of federal immigration laws.

What does PURPOSES. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This Act aims to advance national interest through immigration policy A universal national interest standard is to be established for visa issuance and admission The Act seeks to replace family-chain and lottery-based admissions with a merit-based system

What does DEFINITIONS. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to add definitions. The term 'means-tested public benefit' is defined as a benefit where eligibility, amount, or duration is based on income, resources, or financial need, but excludes specific types of assistance. Excluded benefits from 'means-tested public benefit' include emergency medical assistance, disaster relief, public health assistance, and certain nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act. Foster care and adoption assistance with federal exceptions are also excluded, as are community-level services for life or safety. The term 'National Interest Occupation' is defined as an occupation designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The term 'objective evidence' is defined as independently verifiable evidence, excluding unsupported assertions and speculative projections.

What does NATIONAL INTEREST STANDARD. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding a National Interest Standard The standard applies to provisions that expressly reference it An alien's admission must produce a material prospective public benefit for the United States Public benefit may include economic, cultural, educational, or security interests Determinations may not be based solely on private interest or unsupported assertions

What does FAMILY-SPONSORED IMMIGRATION REFORM. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to redefine 'immediate relative' to include spouses and unmarried children under 18 of a U.S. citizen. It modifies family-sponsored preference classifications, specifically addressing spouses and children under 18 of lawful permanent residents. The worldwide level of family-sponsored immigrants is set at 88,000, reduced by a calculated number. The section creates a new nonimmigrant classification for parents of U.S. citizens who have attained 21 years of age, with specific conditions for admission, including a 5-year initial period, sponsor residency requirements, ineligibility for employment and public benefits, financial responsibility, and health insurance. Numerous technical and conforming amendments are made throughout the Immigration and Nationality Act, primarily updating references to sections 203 and 204.

What does ELIMINATION OF DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT CATEGORY. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant category. The amendments apply to petitions and applications pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act. Aliens selected for a diversity immigrant visa before the enactment date are not eligible to receive a visa on that basis after the enactment date.

What does EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a worldwide limit of 140,000 employment-based immigrants granted visas each fiscal year. It outlines criteria for the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify qualified immigrants for employment-based visas, requiring them to establish a preponderance of evidence. Factors considered for certification include high compensation, national interest occupations or shortage service, strategic federal support, extraordinary ability, and entrepreneurship and innovation. The Secretary of Homeland Security must maintain a list of National Interest Occupations and review it at least every four years. Certain factors, such as sub-median compensation or limited English proficiency, create a presumption against certification, but aliens have 60 days to rebut these factors. If the number of eligible aliens exceeds the available visas, prioritization is based on factors like meeting specific criteria and salary percentile.

What does H-1B REFORMS. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to add labor condition requirements for H-1B nonimmigrants. Employers must attest that the wage level for the position is not less than 200 percent of the median wage for the occupational classification code. The Secretary of Homeland Security prioritizes petitions for aliens with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from US institutions. Numerical limitations on H-1B nonimmigrants are established, with exceptions for certain employers and a total cap of 50,000 per fiscal year. The status of H-1B nonimmigrants may not exceed 3 years and may not be extended or renewed.

What does OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING. of ASSIMILATION Act do?

This section amends Section 274A(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The amendment adds a provision stating that an alien admitted as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) is not considered authorized to be employed in the United States.

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ASSIMILATION Act

Last updated: 5/14/2026 · Introduced: 5/14/2026

Author: Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a 'national interest standard' for immigration, requiring that an alien's admission must produce a material public benefit for the United States.
The bill eliminates the diversity immigrant category and reduces the overall number of family-sponsored immigrants, replacing family-chain admissions with a merit-based system.
It revises employment-based immigration by setting a worldwide limit of 140,000 visas and prioritizing applicants with high compensation, national interest occupations, or strategic federal support.
The bill significantly alters public charge rules, creating a presumption that an alien has become a public charge if they receive means-tested public benefits for over 12 months, which can be rebutted with objective evidence.
Naturalization requirements are increased, including raising the English language proficiency level, extending the required residency period to ten years, and mandating federal tax compliance.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8827(In Committee)Official page

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