Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., has introduced H.R. 604, a bill that would eliminate the extended family visa categories (e.g., married sons and daughters of citizens, etc.), thus ending “chain migration” as recommended by the bi-partisan Barbara Jordan Commission in 1997. Current immigration law allows U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to sponsor non-nuclear, adult family members, creating an endless chain of mass legal immigration.
H.R. 604, which is one of NumbersUSA's top legislative priorities, would reduce the annual issuance of family-sponsored visas by more than 100,000. The impact of the bill would be felt immediately and grow over time as it reduces future immigration numbers.
"Chain migration categories multiply every mistake made in the immigration system and ultimately are responsible for more than half of all immigration," NumbersUSA President and CEO Roy Beck said. "And they cause much of illegal immigration by enticing millions of foreign citizens to believe that they eventually have a right to come to the U.S. so why not just come illegally and wait for their time."
Rep. Hice's bill also would eliminate the parents category, and replace it with a renewable visa class for the parents of U.S. citizens. However, the parents would not be eligible to work in the United States and a U.S. citizen son or daughter would have to provide satisfactory proof of financially support immigrant parents, including proof of health care coverage while the parents are residing in the United States.
H.R. 604, also known as the Nuclear Family Priority Act of 2015, is identical to a bill sponsored by Rep. Phil Gingrey (H.R. 477) in the 113th Congress.
