A Republican lawmaker has proposed replacing America's H-1B visa selection system with a merit-based framework that would prioritise highly skilled, better-paid foreign workers, while sharply restricting family-sponsored immigration and eliminating the Diversity Visa lottery, according to IANS reporting published by several outlets on October 20.
Source: IANS via The Freedom Press
Congressman David Schweikert of Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, outlined the Securing Migration, Addressing Reform, and Talent Enhancement and Retention (SMARTER) Act in an October 19 announcement. The legislation, H.R. 10460, was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 16 and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It has not become law.
How the points system would work
Under the proposal, the existing H-1B selection framework would be replaced by a system designed to give preference to applicants based on their economic contribution, qualifications and labour-market demand. A new five-member Skilled Migration and Recruitment of Talent Board would determine annual immigration limits and allocate employment visas among industries, considering labour shortages, unemployment, wages, productivity and economic growth.
The initial numerical limit for the proposed H-1B replacement system would be 85,000, with subsequent adjustments based on economic conditions. A separate points-based system for employment-based permanent immigration would assess applicants on age, education, English proficiency, salary and exceptional achievements. Applicants aged 26 to 30 would receive the highest age-related points, and salary would carry substantial weight, with applicants offered compensation significantly above the median household income in their state receiving additional points.
The bill would remove existing country-specific numerical limits on employment-based immigration — a provision potentially relevant to Indian nationals who face lengthy green-card backlogs. Reporting notes, however, that any impact on waiting times would depend on the final visa limits and how the proposed selection system operates.
Family visas, lottery and gold card
Other provisions would restrict family-sponsored immigration mainly to spouses and minor children, end the Diversity Visa programme entirely, and replace the existing EB-5 investor visa programme with a system modelled on a gold-card initiative for eligible applicants making substantial financial payments, according to the IANS report and a summary by AZ Free News.
Schweikert argued that immigration policy should address America's ageing population and growing demand for skilled workers while protecting domestic employment. "If we are serious about tackling our debt, growing our economy, and safeguarding our earned federal benefits, we must cultivate a workforce that continues to compete globally at the highest level," he said, according to the Joint Economic Committee.
Source: U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee
The Joint Economic Committee's Republican staff estimated that the proposal could reduce federal expenditure by approximately $335 billion (yaani about $335 billion in federal savings claimed over a decade) and increase U.S. gross domestic product by at least $549 billion over the next decade. Those figures are projections advanced by the bill's proponents, not independently established findings, and the bill currently sits in the Judiciary Committee without a scheduled hearing.
What is solid
- The SMARTER Act (H.R. 10460) was introduced on September 16 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee; it has not become law.
- The bill proposes an initial 85,000 limit for its H-1B replacement system and a five-member board to set future limits.
What is only claimed
- The claimed $335 billion in federal savings and $549 billion GDP gain over a decade are estimates from the Joint Economic Committee's Republican staff, cited by supporters; they have not been independently verified.