A sweeping new immigration proposal landed on Capitol Hill this week as Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles unveiled what he calls the ASSIMILATION Act, an 83‑page bill designed to restructure decades of federal immigration law.
The measure targets multiple pillars of the current system, from employment visas to family‑based admissions, and seeks to replace them with a framework Ogles says would restore cultural cohesion and sharply reduce overall immigration levels.
Ogles announced the bill in a detailed social media post, describing months of work with his staff and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville.
“Excited to announce that my 83-page ASSIMILATION Act has been introduced,” Ogles declared. Ogle went on to say that the legislation aims to “GUT the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, as well as scrap provisions of the Immigration Act of the 1990s.”
The proposal outlines a series of structural changes. Ogles said the bill’s goal is to “end replacement migration and ensure American cultural cohesion.” He added, “This bill will end the H-1B scam, ensure migrants NEVER become a public charge, and make America look like America again. FYI, net immigration immediately decreases by 85% under this bill.”
Among its provisions, the bill would repeal major components of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which shifted the United States away from national‑origin quotas and toward family‑based admissions.
Under Ogles’ plan, family sponsorship would be limited to spouses and minor children. The legislation would also eliminate the diversity visa lottery and replace current employment‑based categories with a points‑based system that evaluates applicants on English proficiency, education, age, and military service.
Another section of the bill calls for eliminating the H‑1B visa program entirely. Ogles said the change is intended to prevent companies from relying on foreign labor in specialized fields. The proposal also includes a nationwide E‑Verify mandate, stricter public‑charge rules, and a requirement that new citizens demonstrate English and civics proficiency after ten years.
The bill’s text emphasizes what Ogles describes as a national interest standard. It also proposes enhanced background checks, including social media reviews, to determine whether applicants meet “good moral character” requirements. Ogles said the legislation is designed to ensure that immigrants “assimilate or follow U.S. laws and the Constitution,” adding that those who do not should “go home.”
A press release from Ogles’ office framed the bill as an effort to prioritize American workers and reduce what he called the long‑term consequences of mass legal immigration. Supporters of the measure argue that current immigration levels strain assimilation and place pressure on wages, while critics of similar proposals in the past have warned that large‑scale reductions could disrupt labor markets and family reunification.
The ASSIMILATION Act is expected to draw significant attention as lawmakers continue to debate the future of federal immigration policy and the balance between economic needs, cultural integration, and national security.
