The PAUSE Act of 2025 imposes a comprehensive moratorium on issuing visas and immigration status until six conditions are met: states may deny public school access to undocumented aliens; nonimmigrants cannot adjust to permanent residency; birthright citizenship requires at least one citizen or lawful permanent resident parent; family-based immigration is limited to spouses and minor children; certain categories of aliens (including those deemed Islamists, Sharia law observers, or members of the Chinese Communist Party) are barred from any lawful status; and aliens are prohibited from accessing Medicare, Medicaid emergency services, SSI, SNAP, tax credits, WIC, student loans, housing assistance, and small business loans. The bill also imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, eliminates the Optional Practical Training program for foreign students, and repeals the Diversity Immigrant Visa program.
