Nuclear Family Priority Act

This bill would narrow who can get family-based green cards and lower the total number issued each year. It would remove parents from the “immediate relative” green card category and limit family green cards mainly to spouses and children of permanent residents. It would also reduce the annual worldwide level for family-sponsored visas to 88,000 (subject to a formula).

The bill creates a new temporary visa for parents of U.S. citizens age 21 and older. This status would last 5 years and could be extended while the U.S. citizen child lives in the U.S. Parents in this status could not work or receive public benefits. The U.S. citizen child must support the parent and arrange health insurance for them at no cost to the parent during their stay.

• Who is affected: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and their parents, spouses, and children seeking to come to the U.S.
• What changes: Fewer family green card categories (focused on spouses and children of permanent residents), fewer total family visas, and a new non-working, no-benefits temporary visa for parents of adult U.S. citizens with required health insurance and financial support by the child
• When: Takes effect on the first day of the second fiscal year after it becomes law. Any petitions for now‑eliminated family categories filed after the bill’s introduction, and visa applications based on them, would be invalid