H.R. 3913

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish immigration and residency requirements for individuals served by Federal TRIO programs, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · June 11, 2025 · Sponsor: Mrs. Houchin · Committee: Committee on Education and Workforce

Table of contents

• H.R. 3913
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Eligibility for participation in Federal TRIO programs

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Putting American Students First Act.

SEC. 2. Eligibility for participation in Federal TRIO programs

• (a) Eligibility
  • Section 402A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 () is amended— 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11
    • by redesignating subsections (f) through (h) as subsections (g) through (i), respectively; and
      • (f) Citizenship and residency requirements
        • (1) In general
          • To be eligible to participate in a program that receives assistance under this chapter, an individual shall be—
            • a national of the United States (as defined in paragraph (22) of section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ()); 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)
            • an alien (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section) lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in paragraph (20) of such section);
            • an alien (as defined in paragraph (3) of such section) who is physically present in the United States (as defined in paragraph (38) of such section) for other than a temporary purpose and who is able to provide evidence from the Secretary of Homeland Security of the alien’s intent to become lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in paragraph (20) of such section);
            • a citizen of one of the Freely Associated States lawfully residing in the United States in accordance with the Compact of Free Association set forth in section 201 of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 ( note; ) or the Compact of Free Association set forth in section 201 of ( note); 48 U.S.C. 1901; Public Law 99–239; Public Law 99–658; 48 U.S.C. 1931
            • an alien having CNMI Resident status under section 6(e)(6) of the Joint Resolution entitled , approved March 24, 1976 (); or A Joint Resolution to approve the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, and for other purposes 48 U.S.C. 1806
            • a lawful resident of one of the Freely Associated States.
        • (2) Waiver prohibited
          • The requirement under paragraph (1) may not be waived under—
            • any provision of section 523 of Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (); Public Law 118–47
            • any of the authorities provided by any of the laws referred to in subsection (b) of such section 523; or
            • any other authority provided in any law—
              • (i) to carry out, or participate in, a Performance Partnership Pilot (as defined in section 526(1) of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 ( note)); or 42 U.S.C. 12301
              • (ii) that allows additional time to operate, or participate in, a Performance Partnership Pilot site selected on or before the date of the enactment of such law.
    • by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
• (b) Conforming amendments
  • The Higher Education Act of 1965 () is further amended— 20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.
    • in section 318(b) (), by striking each place it appears and inserting section 402A(i); 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)
    • in section 371(c) (), by striking each place it appears and inserting section 402A(i); 20 U.S.C. 1067q(c)
    • in section 402E(g) (), by striking section 402A(g)and inserting section 402A(h); and 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15(g)
    • in section 402H (), by striking each place it appears and inserting section 402A(g)(4). 20 U.S.C. 1070a–18