Bill · H.R. 10460· House(119-HR-10460)
SMARTER Act
- Introduced
- 9/16/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- David Schweikert
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation overhauls the United States immigration system by shifting the focus toward a skills-based points system and away from family-sponsored immigration and diversity programs. It establishes a new government board to determine labor needs and set caps on employment-based visas and temporary worker programs. The bill limits general family-sponsored immigration strictly to spouses and minor children under the age of 18 for new petitions. It eliminates the traditional diversity visa lottery program entirely. Additionally, the measure creates a new "Gold-Card" visa program for individuals or corporations willing to pay substantial fees. Finally, it implements artificial intelligence tools to track and identify visa overstays.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?+6
The newly created Gold-Card visa program provides an expedited pathway to residency for wealthy individuals willing to pay substantial fees.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Business owners gain streamlined access to global high-skilled labor through the new points system and Gold-Card program.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4
Younger skilled workers benefit from higher point allocations for individuals in prime working-age brackets.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-6
The legislation severely restricts family-sponsored immigration and eliminates the diversity visa program, narrowing overall pathways to permanent residency.
Would immigrants be better off under this?-4
While high-skilled applicants benefit, the complete elimination of the diversity visa and strict limits on family-sponsored immigration negatively impact overall immigrant opportunities.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-2
The complex points system and salary requirements may make it harder for smaller businesses to navigate employment-based immigration compared to large corporations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Encouragement of High-Skilled Talent: Under Section 5, the bill establishes a points system that awards additional points for higher educational degrees, high English language proficiency, and higher salary offers, which helps attract skilled individuals who can contribute to the economy.
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Protection Against Worker Displacement: Under Section 5, prospective employers must submit an attestation confirming that the job offer will not displace a United States worker or lead to the layoff of a domestic worker in an equivalent job, offering a safeguard for current American workers.
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Modernized Visa Portability: Under Section 6, nonimmigrant workers are given greater flexibility to accept new employment regardless of the specific industry they were originally authorized to work in, reducing restrictions for workers changing jobs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restriction of Family Reunification: Under Section 3, family-sponsored immigration is strictly limited to spouses and minor children under 18, and other family preference categories are eliminated, which prevents citizens and permanent residents from bringing parents, adult children, or siblings to the United States.
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Elimination of the Diversity Visa Program: Under Section 2, the entire Diversity Visa Program is eliminated, removing a pathway to legal permanent residency for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States.
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Bar on Public Benefits: Under Section 5, employment-based immigrants and their household members are explicitly barred from receiving any Federal means-tested public benefits, potentially leaving vulnerable families without basic government assistance during times of financial hardship.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For High Net Worth Individuals+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Young Adults+4Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Immigrants-4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+4Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2Improves International Trade+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+4Improves Pathway To Citizenship-6Improves Poverty Reduction-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.