END CHAIN MIGRATION: 4 More Bill Co-Sponsors (Chaffetz, Duncan, Mulvaney & Palazzo)

Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), and Steve Palazzo (R-Miss.) have added their names to the growing list of co-sponsors for Rep. Phil Gingrey’s Nuclear Family Priority Act (H.R.692) that would end chain migration. H.R.692 would eliminate all family-preference visa classes, except for spouses and minor children, and create a renewable visa class for parents.

Eliminating Chain Migration was a recommendation of the bi-partisan Barbara Jordan Commission issued in 1995.

Rep. Gingrey’s bill would eliminate the extended family visa categories (e.g., siblings and married sons and daughters of citizens, etc.), thus ending “chain migration”. Chain migration is the process where seemingly endless “chains” of foreign nationals are allowed to immigrate to the United States, since our laws allow citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring in their non-nuclear, adult family members. It is the primary mechanism that has caused legal immigration in this country to quadruple since the 1960s.

In a change from previous versions, the 2011 legislation would also eliminate the parents category and instead create a renewable 5-year visa class for the parents of U.S. citizens. The number of parents who came to the United States in 2009 was 82,000. 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.

Furthermore, H.R.692 would reduce the annual number of family-sponsored immigrant visas available by 111,800.

Rep. Chaffetz represents Utah’s 3rd Congressional District and is serving his 2nd term in Congress. Rep. Chaffetz has earned a career A+ grade and introduced the “No Amnesty” resolution during the 111th Congress.

Rep. Duncan represents South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District. He is currently serving his 1st term in Congress and has earned a B grade.

Rep. Mulvaney represents South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. He is currently serving his 1st term in Congress and was identified as a “True Reformer” during the mid-term elections. Rep. Mulvaney has already earned a B+ grade.

Rep. Palazzo represents Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District. He is currently serving his 1st term in Congress and was identified as a “True Reformer” during the mid-term elections. Rep. Palazzo has earned an A grade.

For a full list of co-sponsors for the Chain Migration bill, click here.