The PAUSE Act would impose a comprehensive freeze on issuing new visas and immigration statuses until Congress changes six specific immigration policies. These conditions include allowing states to deny public school access to undocumented immigrants, eliminating visa adjustments to permanent residency, changing birthright citizenship to require at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, restricting family-based immigration to only spouses and minor children of citizens or permanent residents, barring entry to those deemed Islamists, Sharia law observers, Chinese Communist Party members, or terrorist suspects, and prohibiting immigrants from accessing Medicare, Medicaid emergency care, food assistance, housing aid, and educational loans. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, though it includes refunds for fees paid by applicants before enactment. Additionally, the act would eliminate the Optional Practical Training program for foreign students, end the diversity visa lottery program, and impose a $100,000 fee on employers sponsoring H-1B visa workers starting in fiscal year 2026.
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