WASHINGTON — In one of the most sweeping immigration proposals introduced in recent years, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) announced Friday that he will introduce a bill calling for a complete freeze on all immigration into the United States until major reforms are implemented across several key areas, including the H-1B visa program, birthright citizenship, and ideological vetting of new applicants.
The legislation — expected to spark an intense national debate — would temporarily shut down legal immigration pathways, halt the issuance of new visas, and pause most immigration-related processing until the federal government completes a broad restructuring of current immigration laws.
Roy, a vocal advocate for stricter immigration controls, described the bill as “necessary to restore national security, protect American workers, and modernize a broken system.”
A Full Stop on Immigration — With Major Conditions
According to the draft text, the immigration freeze would remain in effect until Congress enacts reforms addressing:
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H-1B Visa Overhaul: New rules aimed at prioritizing American workers, tightening employer requirements, and preventing abuse of the skilled-worker visa system.
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Birthright Citizenship: A direct challenge to automatic citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil, which Roy argues has been exploited.
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Ideological Vetting: Expanded screening to prevent individuals with extremist, anti-American, or hostile ideological affiliations from entering the country.
The bill would also mandate enhanced border security measures and an audit of visa-overstay programs.
Roy: “America Must Hit Pause and Get Its House in Order”
Speaking at a press briefing, Roy said:
“Our immigration system is overrun, our border is wide open, and our vetting processes are outdated. Before inviting more people into the country, we must ensure our laws, our workforce protections, and our national security procedures are fully functional.”
He added that the rapid growth of visa programs, combined with surges in illegal border crossings, has “pushed our system to the breaking point.”
Democrats Slam Proposal as Extreme and Unconstitutional
Democratic lawmakers swiftly condemned the proposal, calling it an overreach that would harm families, businesses, and America’s global standing.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the bill “dangerous and xenophobic,” arguing that it violates constitutional principles and undermines the nation’s immigrant-driven economy.
“A total freeze on immigration would devastate industries, tear apart families, and send a message to the world that America is closed,” Jayapal said.
Business Groups Warn of Economic Fallout
Tech companies and business groups expressed concern, particularly over the proposed overhaul of the H-1B visa, which U.S. firms rely on to fill specialized roles in engineering, research, healthcare, and IT.
The Chamber of Commerce warned that freezing immigration would “cripple innovation” and push global talent to competing nations like Canada and the U.K.
Economist Linda McCauley noted:
“If you throttle legal immigration, you weaken the U.S. workforce pipeline. This move could trigger long-term economic damage.”
Strong Support Among Conservative Base
The proposal is expected to gain backing from hardline immigration activists and conservative lawmakers who argue that the U.S. must secure the border before expanding legal pathways.
Roy’s bill aligns with several policy positions championed by former President Trump, who has pushed for ideological vetting, reduced immigration quotas, and reforms to birthright citizenship.
What Comes Next?
The bill is expected to face steep opposition in the Senate and may struggle to gain the bipartisan support needed to advance. Still, analysts say it will influence upcoming election cycles, potentially becoming a rallying point for Republican candidates.
Roy plans to formally introduce the legislation next week, setting up what could become one of the most heated policy fights on Capitol Hill in 2025.
