House Republican Introduces New Immigration Bill

A new proposal from a House Freedom Caucus member is aiming to dramatically reshape the U.S. immigration system, potentially marking the most significant overhaul of legal immigration policy in decades.

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is leading legislation designed to shift the foundation of the current immigration framework away from family-based admissions and toward a system focused primarily on the national interests of the United States. The bill would largely end what critics have long referred to as “chain migration,” prioritizing immigrants based on economic contributions, cultural compatibility, and national security considerations.

According to draft legislative text obtained by Fox News Digital, the proposal makes the guiding principle of U.S. immigration policy explicit.

“All immigration to the United States shall serve the economic, cultural, and security interests of the United States as determined by Congress,” the draft states.

Among the most notable provisions is the elimination of the diversity visa lottery. The program currently grants roughly 55,000 immigrant visas each year to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. Critics of the lottery have argued for years that the system lacks adequate vetting and fails to prioritize applicants with skills that directly benefit the U.S. economy.

The legislation would also significantly tighten eligibility standards for immigrants by expanding “good moral character” requirements.

Under the proposal, prospective immigrants could be denied eligibility for a range of issues beyond criminal convictions. Individuals accused of gang affiliations or those with arrest records for offenses such as domestic violence or driving under the influence could be barred from entering the country, even if those arrests did not lead to convictions.

Additional disqualifying factors could include misuse of public benefits, immigration violations such as visa overstays, and unpaid taxes.

The bill also calls for stricter screening procedures during the immigration process. Mandatory vetting would include enhanced background checks, in-person interviews, and reviews of applicants’ social media activity to help confirm good moral character.