The English Language Proficiency Act removes specific exceptions that currently allow certain immigrants to bypass the naturalization requirement of understanding U.S. history, government, and English language skills. By amending the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill eliminates these exemptions, meaning more applicants must now demonstrate proficiency in these areas to become citizens. This change directly impacts immigrants who previously qualified for waivers based on factors such as age, education, or length of residence in the United States. The legislation aims to standardize the naturalization process by ensuring a consistent set of requirements for all applicants seeking citizenship.
The Homeownership Eligibility Reform Act restricts access to government-backed and private mortgage insurance for single-family homes to individuals who are U.S. citizens. Specifically, the bill amends laws governing the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to require that borrowers for one-to-four-unit properties must be citizens to qualify for their mortgage products. This change directly affects foreign nationals and non-citizen residents who currently might purchase homes with these types of financing, effectively limiting their eligibility for these specific mortgage programs.
The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 makes the E-Verify employment eligibility verification system permanent and mandatory for all employers in the United States, including those who hire, recruit, or refer individuals for jobs. The bill requires employers to use the system within a phased timeline based on company size, ranging from six months for large businesses with 10,000 or more employees to 18 months for smaller businesses with fewer than 20 employees, while exempting agricultural labor verification until 18 months after enactment. Key provisions include increased civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, the ability for the government to debar repeat violators from federal contracts, and a requirement that states sharing driver's license data with the system remain eligible for certain federal funding. Additionally, the act establishes a self-check feature for individuals to verify their own status, expands data sharing between federal and state agencies to prevent fraud, and creates a good-faith defense for employers who rely on the system's results.
This bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the H-1B visa program by pausing new issuances for three years and capping the annual limit at 25,000 visas. It would eliminate the current lottery system, replacing it with a process that prioritizes employers offering the highest wages, while also restricting visa holders to a maximum stay of three years and banning them from holding multiple jobs simultaneously. The legislation further mandates that all H-1B workers be paid at least $200,000 annually, prohibits staffing agencies from sponsoring these visas, and bars federal agencies from hiring or petitioning for H-1B workers. Additionally, the bill would end employment authorization for foreign students and interns, and generally prevent most nonimmigrants from adjusting their status to become permanent residents while in the United States.
The DEPORT Act of 2026 proposes changes to U.S. immigration law regarding terrorism-related offenses. It would require all naturalization applicants to attest under oath that they have not committed, have charges pending for, or intend to commit specific terrorism-related crimes. The bill also establishes new procedures for denaturalizing U.S. citizens, allowing convictions or credible evidence of these offenses to be used as grounds for revoking citizenship, with certain presumptions of illegal procurement. Furthermore, it would make individuals convicted of such offenses inadmissible to the U.S., deportable if denaturalized, ineligible for most immigration benefits, and permanently barred from future admission. These provisions directly affect naturalization applicants, naturalized citizens, and aliens seeking admission or other immigration benefits.
This bill, known as Dalilah's Law Act, prohibits individuals with certain immigration statuses from obtaining or using commercial driver's licenses in interstate commerce. It requires state officials to verify an applicant's employment eligibility through E-Verify before issuing such licenses and imposes criminal penalties, including mandatory minimum sentences for accidents causing injury or death. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for businesses that assist in violations and allows victims of accidents caused by these drivers to sue for triple damages. Additionally, it adds the use of commercial licenses by these individuals as an aggravated felony and grounds for deportation under immigration law.
This bill prevents U.S. federal courts from issuing orders (such as injunctions, stays, or declarations) that stop enforcement of laws against people or entities not directly involved in a lawsuit (non-parties). It requires that such orders only apply if a non-party is represented through a party acting under standard legal rules. The law applies to all federal courts, including those in U.S. territories, and modifies related procedures for temporary restraining orders and declaratory judgments to enforce this restriction. Its core change limits court authority to affect non-parties regarding statutes, regulations, or government actions.
This bill (S 72) changes how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) releases non-detained immigrants. It requires that aliens only be placed in Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs after all detention beds are filled, no detention options exist, and all reasonable detention efforts are exhausted (Section 2). It mandates continuous GPS monitoring and a nightly curfew (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) for all aliens in ATD programs during all immigration proceedings and until removal (Section 3). Additionally, it allows for automatic removal in absentia if an alien fails to comply with release conditions, based on an officer’s affidavit (Section 4). The bill directly affects non-detained immigrants under ICE supervision who would previously qualify for ATD.
HR 778, the Safeguarding American Workers’ Benefits Act, modifies Social Security Number (SSN) requirements for claiming the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It requires taxpayers to provide SSNs issued to U.S. citizens or under specific legal provisions (as defined in the bill) before the tax return deadline, replacing previous allowances for certain alternative numbers. This directly affects individuals filing taxes who seek these credits, as they must now use only eligible SSNs to qualify. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill does not alter the credit amounts but tightens verification rules for eligibility.
This bill would make it easier to remove non-citizens who are members of or associated with criminal gangs from the United States. It defines a "criminal gang" as a group of five or more people whose primary purpose is committing serious crimes including drug offenses, violent crimes, human trafficking, and other specified offenses. The Secretary of Homeland Security, with Attorney General consultation, would have authority to designate groups as criminal gangs, with procedures for review and potential revocation. The bill would block asylum eligibility, temporary protected status, special immigrant juvenile visas, and parole for those designated as gang members, with limited exceptions for those assisting law enforcement.
