Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) has introduced H.R. 891, 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 bipartisan 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. 891, which is one of NumbersUSA's top legislative priorities, would have the most impact in reducing the annual issuance of green cards. In FY2017, the feds issued nearly 270,000 green cards to non-nuclear family members through the family-chain categories.
"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 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. 891 was introduced with seven original cosponsors, including: Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Mark Meadows of North Carolina, Mo Brooks of Alabama, David Roe of Tennessee, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Eric Crawford of Arkansas, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.
