PAUSE Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Roy
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a nationwide pause on issuing visas and providing immigration status until a set of conditions in the immigration system are met. It would also restrict who can claim birthright citizenship and bar many federal benefits for certain noncitizens.
Show full summary
- Families and children: Would restrict birthright citizenship to a child born in the United States only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. It would also allow state and local governments to deny access to public schools for people present without lawful status.
- Nonimmigrants and pending applicants: Would prevent nonimmigrants from adjusting to lawful permanent resident status and pause new visas or status grants. It would revoke applications filed before enactment if the new rules make the applicant ineligible and refund any fee paid.
- People screened by ideology or affiliation: Would bar lawful status for people described as Islamists or observers of Sharia law, members or associates of the Chinese Communist Party, known or suspected terrorists, or people affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations.
- Low-income immigrants and borrowers: Would deny many federal benefits and supports to aliens, including Medicare and Medicaid emergency medical care in certain cases, Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, WIC, premium tax credits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, federal student loans, HUD housing assistance, and Small Business Administration loans or guarantees.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.
Ends work permits for F‑1 students
F‑1 students would no longer receive work authorization through Optional Practical Training. If you were selected for OPT before enactment, that authorization would be revoked and your fee refunded. This would start on enactment.
New $100,000 fee on H‑1B filings
Starting in fiscal year 2026, employers would pay an extra $100,000 when filing certain H‑1B petitions. The fee would apply to initial H‑1B grants, some extensions, and change‑of‑employer filings. It would be due at filing.
Birthright citizenship limited by parents
A child born in the U.S. would be a citizen only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Birthplace alone would no longer be enough. This change would take effect on enactment.
Visa pause and tighter green-card rules
The bill would pause issuing new visas and immigration status nationwide until certain conditions are met, with a narrow visitor‑visa exception. Nonimmigrants would no longer be able to adjust status to a green card. Family sponsorship would be limited to only spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens or green card holders. People in listed groups (for example, Islamists, Sharia observers, Chinese Communist Party members or associates, known or suspected terrorists, or affiliates of foreign terrorist groups) would be barred from lawful status. If you applied before enactment and become ineligible under these rules, your case would be revoked and your fees refunded.
Cuts many federal benefits for noncitizens
If enacted, noncitizens would be blocked from many federal benefits and credits. This includes Medicare, some Medicaid emergency care, SSI, SNAP, WIC, the premium tax credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. It would also block certain federal student loans, HUD housing help, and SBA loan guarantees. These changes would start on enactment.
States could deny school to undocumented kids
States and localities would be allowed to deny public school enrollment to children without lawful status. If your child lacks lawful status, a state could refuse to enroll them. Families might need private school or other options.
Ends the Diversity Visa lottery
The Diversity Visa lottery would end on enactment. If you were selected and notified before enactment, your selection would be revoked and your fee refunded.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Roy
TX • R
Cosponsors
Biggs (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Self
TX • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Ogles
TN • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Boebert
CO • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Gill (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Fine
FL • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Crane
AZ • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Donalds
FL • R
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 12/12/2025
Harshbarger
TN • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Gosar
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Brecheen
OK • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Biggs (SC)
SC • R
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in