New US Bill Proposes Ban On Green Card Lottery, Parents’ Visa Sponsorship

The proposed legislation, introduced by Republican Congressman Barry Moore, aims to:

• End the Diversity Visa Green Card Lottery
• Restrict family-sponsored immigration
• Replace current employment-based immigration with a merit-based points system
• Prioritize highly skilled immigrants instead of broader family migration categories

If passed, the bill could impact millions of prospective immigrants worldwide, including large numbers of Indian applicants waiting for US immigration pathways.

Green Card Lottery Could Be Eliminated

One of the biggest proposed changes is the complete elimination of the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery.

The Diversity Visa Program currently:

• Offers up to 50,000 immigrant visas annually
• Selects applicants randomly
• Primarily benefits countries with lower immigration rates to the US

Supporters of the bill argue the lottery system:

• Does not prioritize skills
• Creates security concerns
• Does not align with labor market needs

Critics, however, say the program provides one of the few legal immigration routes for people without family or employer sponsorship.

Family Sponsorship Could Be Severely Restricted

The bill also proposes major cuts to family-based immigration.

Under current US immigration rules, US citizens can sponsor: