Senator Tuberville Introduces Bill to Overhaul U.S. Legal Immigration System

Senator Tommy Tuberville has introduced the Americans First Immigration Act, a sweeping Senate bill that would dismantle the Diversity Visa Lottery and narrow family-based green-card pathways, including eliminating the immediate-relative category for parents of U.S. citizens. The legislation replaces existing employment-based categories with a points-based system that awards up to 192,000 visas annually, based on factors such as salary (generally 200% of the state median wage), education, English proficiency, age, military service and extraordinary ability.

Employers must first demonstrate that no equally qualified American worker is available and could face civil penalties up to $25,000, with higher fines and possible imprisonment for repeated violations. Immigrants selected through the points system, along with their spouses and children, would receive conditional permanent residence for two years and must sign a “Protection of American Values” attestation. The Senate version expands on a House bill introduced by Rep. Barry Moore, adding stricter penalties, broader attestation language and tuition-payment requirements for foreign students. The measure now faces an uncertain legislative path as Congress heads into a recess before the November elections.