Imagine if you had to compete for a spot in your favorite college, but instead of basing it on grades and test scores, it was random chance. That's basically how the current US immigration system works. But a new bill wants to change that.

The "Americans First Immigration Act" was introduced by Republican Congressman Barry Moore. Its main goal is to shift the focus from a random system to one that rewards hard work and skills. Moore wants to make it easier for high-skilled workers to come to the US, while making it harder for those who don't meet certain criteria.

So, what exactly would change? For starters, the bill would get rid of the green card lottery, which is a program that randomly selects people to come to the US. It's meant to promote diversity, but it's also been plagued by problems like fraud and national security concerns.

The bill would also limit family-based visas to only immediate relatives of US citizens, like spouses and minor children. Extended family members, like parents and siblings, would no longer be able to sponsor their own immigration. Instead, they'd have to meet the new merit-based criteria.

Employers would also face stricter rules. They'd have to show that they tried to hire American workers before giving a job to someone from another country. They'd also need to share details of the US candidates they considered, including how much pay was offered.

The bill would also introduce a mandatory pledge for incoming migrants. They'd need to affirm their support for the US Constitution and renounce any associations with groups involved in practices like honor killings or genital mutilation.

Some people are already backing the proposal, like Julie Kirchner, a senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute. She thinks the move to a merit-based system is a good idea, as it would allow immigrants to demonstrate their skills and ability to contribute to the US.