Rep. Phil Gingrey Offers Bill to End Chain Migration

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) has introduced H.R. 477 that would would eliminate the extended family visa categories (e.g., married sons and daughters of citizens, etc.), thus ending “chain migration” as recommended by the bi-partisan 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. 477, which is one of NumbersUSA’s top legislative priorities, would reduce the annual issuance of family-sponsored visas by more than 100,000. The impact wouldn’t only be felt immediately, but would have a major impact on future immigration numbers.

“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. Gingrey’s bill would also eliminate the parents category, and instead, create 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 that they can financially support their immigrant parents, including proof of health care coverage while the parents are residing in the United States.

Check your Action Board for a fax to your Congressperson, urging them to co-sponsor H.R. 477.