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.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is leading a new bill that would shift the American immigration system from a family-based focus, largely ending chain migration and prioritizing immigrants who serve the “national interest” of the U.S. https://t.co/Rnr9GOaHhJ
— Gregs iPinions (@Gregs_iPinions) March 13, 2026
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.
The proposal represents a direct challenge to key provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, commonly known as the Hart-Celler Act.
That landmark law eliminated the national-origins quota system that had previously favored immigrants from Northern and Western Europe. In its place, Hart-Celler established an immigration framework emphasizing family reunification, refugee admissions, and employment-based visas for individuals with specialized skills.
The changes significantly diversified immigration flows to the United States, opening new pathways for migrants from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
In recent years, however, some conservatives have argued that the 1965 law fundamentally reshaped immigration policy in ways that no longer align with the country’s economic and security priorities.
Ogles has been among the most vocal critics. In a December 2025 post on X, he called for the repeal of the Hart-Celler Act, arguing that it replaced what he described as a more effective quota system with an immigration structure that encouraged migration from developing nations.
The new legislation reflects a broader shift within parts of the Republican Party, where skepticism toward both illegal immigration and aspects of the legal immigration system has been growing.
If enacted, the proposal would represent one of the most consequential changes to U.S. immigration law since the mid-20th century, reopening a long-running national debate over how the United States decides who can enter the country and why.
