Rep. Schweikert Introduces SMART Act to Replace Diversity Visas with a Skills-Based Points System
The SMART Act was recently introduced in the House and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on the Judiciary. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time.
This bill proposes a massive shift in how the U.S. handles immigration, which usually requires a rare bipartisan deal to pass. Without support from both parties, it is unlikely to move through a divided Congress.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Naturalized citizens who want to bring parents, adult children, or siblings to the U.S. would no longer be able to sponsor them for green cards. Parents could only come on a restricted temporary W visa that bars them from working or receiving benefits, and the sponsoring citizen must cover all costs including health insurance. This is a significant loss for immigrant families who rely on family reunification. Naturalization could also be blocked if a sponsor has unpaid debts for public benefits used by the immigrant.
“the United States citizen son or daughter who sponsored the nonimmigrant parent shall be responsible for the nonimmigrant's support while the nonimmigrant resides in the United States.”
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2408)
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
The article details the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA), which incorporates the SMART Act's immigration overhaul. It highlights the shift to a merit-based points system, the elimination of the diversity visa lottery, and new fees for asylum seekers and temporary protected status applicants.
This report covers the Joint Economic Committee's endorsement of a points-based immigration system, as outlined in the SMART Act, to attract high-skilled talent and address demographic pressures on the U.S. workforce and Social Security solvency.
The Hill reports on the immediate suspension of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program in late 2025, a move codified by the SMART Act provisions within the OBBBA, citing security concerns following a high-profile incident involving a former lottery recipient.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SMART Act
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