This bill aims to make permanent the rules for Optional Practical Training, which allows international students to work in the United States after completing their studies. It directly affects F-1 visa holders by codifying their ability to gain up to 24 months of work experience related to their field of study, or up to 48 months if they studied science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The legislation also directs the Department of Homeland Security to classify nursing as a STEM field, thereby extending the longer work authorization period to nursing graduates. By adding these provisions to federal law, the bill ensures that these work opportunities remain consistent and legally defined for future students.
This bill restricts immigration and naturalization by adding new grounds for inadmissibility and deportation based on membership in or advocacy for specific political ideologies, including socialism, communism, Chinese communism, Marxism, and Islamic fundamentalism. It directly affects foreign nationals and permanent residents by making them ineligible for entry or citizenship if they have affiliated with or promoted these ideologies, with exceptions only for advocacy that occurred before age 14. The law defines these ideologies in detail and designates specific organizations as examples of each category, while also prohibiting court review of determinations made under these provisions. Additionally, the bill expands the grounds for revoking naturalized citizenship and requires the Attorney General to issue regulations implementing these changes.
The Secure America Act appropriates billions of dollars to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for fiscal year 2026 to expand staffing and operations. These funds are specifically designated for hiring agents to conduct functions other than immigration enforcement and customs duties, as well as for purchasing new technology to combat drug trafficking and improve border surveillance. The legislation includes restrictions that prohibit using the money to recruit processing coordinators after October 2028 and bans the deployment of untested autonomous surveillance towers. A portion of the funding is also set aside to hire investigators and analysts dedicated to identifying and rescuing victims of child sexual exploitation.
The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include small businesses owned by certain non-citizens. Specifically, it allows businesses to qualify if they are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and authorized to work, such as refugees, asylees, permanent residents, and specific nonimmigrant visa holders. The bill also permits businesses owned by individuals living outside the United States to apply for these loans. This change aims to broaden access to federal financial support for small enterprises by removing previous restrictions based on the citizenship or permanent residency status of the business owners.
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to create or expand new immigration detention facilities, including warehouses, tents, and modular structures. It directly affects immigration enforcement agencies by banning the construction, renovation, or operation of non-traditional detention centers and preventing the transfer of funds to such projects. The legislation requires any money previously allocated for these facilities to be redirected toward affordable healthcare and housing services instead. Effective immediately upon enactment, the ban applies to all existing federal funds and prevents the use of current budgets for establishing or operating alternative detention models.
This bill proposes a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would restrict certain federal government positions to only those who are natural-born citizens. The measure would directly affect individuals currently serving or seeking roles as Representatives, Senators, federal judges, and ambassadors. Under the proposed rules, non-natural-born citizens would be barred from holding these offices, with specific start dates for the restrictions depending on the position. The amendment requires ratification by three-fourths of the states and would take effect within seven years of submission.
The UBER Act establishes new federal requirements for ride-sharing and shared-transportation companies to receive government contracts. To qualify, every driver must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid license from a single state, pass a road test, and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to communicate with the public and read traffic signs, with an exception for drivers who use American Sign Language. Companies that fail to certify that all their drivers meet these standards will be banned from federal contracts for five years.
The Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to create and enforce mandatory training for immigration officers on how to properly interact with Native Americans and recognize tribal documents as proof of citizenship. This training must include specific information about tribal documents, scenario-based exercises, and annual retraining for all officers in their assigned regions. The bill also mandates that officers complete this training before performing immigration enforcement duties and requires the Department to submit regular reports to Congress on its implementation.
The America First Citizenship and Allegiance Act strengthens the naturalization process by requiring applicants to demonstrate a substantial understanding of English, U.S. history, and specific constitutional principles like the separation of powers and federalism. It mandates that new citizens receive explicit instruction on the meaning of the oath of allegiance and must pass a more rigorous exam with a higher passing score and a greater focus on constitutional knowledge. The bill also introduces stricter penalties for fraud, including permanent bars to citizenship for serious offenses such as terrorism, foreign agent activities, and unlawful voting, while preserving existing authorities to revoke citizenship from those who obtained it through deception. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new initiative to update citizenship study materials for the nation's 250th anniversary and requires annual reporting to Congress on naturalization statistics and denial reasons.
This bill, known as the BOOT Sharia Law Act, amends U.S. immigration laws to bar individuals from obtaining asylum, refugee status, or permanent residency if they support Sharia law or protest against the U.S. Constitution. It specifically excludes from refugee protections anyone who uses force or coercion to enforce Islamic values, promote conversions to Islam, or establish Islam as a state religion. The legislation also allows for the removal of permanent resident status for those who demonstrate support for designated terrorist groups or oppose American government principles.
