Key Takeaways
• Congress introduced over 300 bipartisan immigration bills since 2015, with only 5% becoming law.
• S.1589 aims to reform immigration parole; introduced in 119th Congress with 11 cosponsors in May 2025.
• TPS designations expire July 12, 2025, affecting nearly 700,000 immigrants and sparking political debates.
Purpose and Scope of Analysis
This data analysis examines whether Congress has truly abandoned bipartisan immigration reform since 2015, focusing on legislative activity, trends in bill introductions, and the broader policy environment as of May 2025. The analysis covers the period from the 114th Congress (2015-2016) through the early months of the 119th Congress (2025-2026), with particular attention to the introduction of S.1589 and other recent legislative proposals. The goal is to provide a precise, evidence-based overview of bipartisan efforts, highlight key statistical findings, and assess the prospects for meaningful immigration reform in the current political climate.
Data Sources and Periods Covered
- Legislative records from the 114th through 119th Congresses (2015-2025)
– Bipartisan Policy Center research on immigration bill introductions and outcomes (2015-2024) - Recent bill texts and committee actions (May 2025)
- Official government statements and executive orders (2025)
- Expert commentary from legal scholars and policy analysts (2024-2025)
- Historical context from major reform efforts since the 1980s
Key Findings Upfront
– Bipartisan immigration activity has not ceased: Congress has introduced over 300 bipartisan immigration bills since 2015, with a noticeable increase in recent years.
– Comprehensive reform remains elusive: Only narrowly focused bills have become law; broad, system-wide changes have repeatedly stalled.
– Employment-based reforms dominate: 28% of bipartisan bills target employment-based immigration.
– Low legislative success rate: Just 5% of bipartisan immigration bills became law over the past decade.
– Recent legislative activity is robust: The 119th Congress has already introduced significant bills, including S.1589, and advanced major spending proposals affecting immigration.
– Political and legal challenges persist: Executive actions and court cases continue to shape the immigration landscape, often complicating legislative efforts.
Legislative Activity Since 2015: A Statistical Overview
Volume and Nature of Bipartisan Immigration Bills
Between 2015 and 2024, members of Congress introduced 309 immigration-related bills on a bipartisan basis (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2024). The data shows a steady increase in bipartisan bill introductions, especially in the 117th (2021-2022) and 118th (2023-2024) Congresses.
- Employment-based immigration was the most common focus, accounting for 28% of all bipartisan bills.
- 78% of bipartisan bills sought to ease immigration restrictions, while 15% aimed to increase restrictions.
- Only 5% (15 bills) of the more than 300 bipartisan bills became law, and these represented just nine unique legislative changes (due to reintroductions).
Visual Description:
Imagine a bar chart showing the number of bipartisan immigration bills introduced per Congress from 2015 to 2024. The bars for the 117th and 118th Congresses are noticeably taller, reflecting increased activity. A pie chart would show the largest slice dedicated to employment-based reforms, with smaller slices for family-based, humanitarian, and enforcement-focused bills.
Success Rate and Legislative Focus
The success rate for bipartisan immigration bills is extremely low. Of the 309 bills introduced, only 15 became law, and all were narrowly focused—none attempted comprehensive reform. These successful bills typically addressed:
- Specific visa categories (e.g., special immigrant visas for Afghan allies)
- Targeted humanitarian protections
- Technical corrections to existing law
Example:
A bill might extend eligibility for a particular visa program to a new group, rather than overhaul the entire visa allocation system.
Trend Comparisons: 2015-2025
- 2015-2018: Bipartisan immigration activity was steady but limited, with most bills failing to advance beyond committee.
- 2019-2024: There was a marked increase in bipartisan bill introductions, especially around employment-based and humanitarian issues.
- 2025 (to date): The 119th Congress has already introduced several significant bills, including S.1589, and advanced major spending proposals affecting immigration.
Visual Description:
A line graph tracking the number of bipartisan immigration bills introduced each year would show a gradual upward trend, with a sharper increase in the last two Congresses.
Recent Legislative Developments (May 2025)
Key Bills Introduced
S.1589 (Immigration Parole Reform):
Introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) with 11 cosponsors on May 5, 2025, S.1589 aims to amend section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the use of immigration parole. The bill has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Read the official bill text and status
H.R.3310 (Venezuelan Adjustment Act):
Introduced by Representative Darren Soto (D-FL-9) on May 8, 2025, with two cosponsors, this bill would grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Venezuelans for an initial period of 18 months, with renewal options. It has been referred to both the Judiciary and Budget Committees.
H.R.2641:
This bill seeks to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to require all federal contractors to use the E-Verify system, which checks the work eligibility of employees.
Learn more about E-Verify requirements
Committee Actions and Spending Proposals
On May 14, 2025, the House approved several immigration and border-related spending proposals as part of the reconciliation process:
- $5 billion allocated to the Department of Defense for border operations
- Significant fee increases for certain immigration applications and humanitarian protections
- Prohibition of fee waivers for most applications, overriding previous laws such as the Violence Against Women Act
These measures reflect a shift toward stricter enforcement and increased financial barriers for applicants, even as some bills seek to expand protections.
Comprehensive Reform Proposal
On May 15, 2025, Senator Ruben Ggo (D-AZ) unveiled a 20-page proposal for comprehensive immigration reform. Key elements include:
- Increased funding and resources for US Border Patrol
- Asylum process reforms
- Expansion of legal immigration pathways
This is the first major comprehensive proposal since President Trump returned to office and follows the failure of a bipartisan border bill in the Senate in 2024.
Executive Actions and Legal Challenges
Since January 2025, the Trump administration has issued several executive orders affecting immigration:
- Rescinding Biden-era protections that set civil immigration enforcement priorities and addressed migration causes
- Implementing the “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion Proclamation” to restrict entry at the southern border
- Barring individuals who enter without inspection from seeking immigration benefits, including asylum
Legal Challenges:
These actions have already faced court scrutiny. For example, on January 23, 2025, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order in Washington v. Trump, blocking enforcement of one executive order.
Visual Description:
A timeline could illustrate the sequence of executive actions and corresponding court challenges, highlighting the ongoing tug-of-war between the executive and judicial branches.
Expert Perspectives and Policy Implications
Structural Challenges
Legal scholars, such as Cornell Law Professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, emphasize that while presidents can issue executive orders, only Congress has the authority to update US immigration laws. The current system, largely unchanged since the 1980s, is widely regarded as outdated and ill-suited to modern economic and humanitarian needs.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Project 2025
- TPS designations for certain countries are set to expire on July 12, 2025.
- Project 2025 calls for repealing all TPS designations, potentially affecting nearly 700,000 immigrants who have lived and worked in the United States 🇺🇸 for years.
E-Verify Expansion
Proposals to expand E-Verify, such as H.R.2641, have drawn criticism due to concerns about system errors and potential discrimination, particularly against people of color.
Example:
A US citizen with a common Hispanic surname might be flagged incorrectly by E-Verify, causing delays or job loss.
Historical Context: Why Comprehensive Reform Remains Difficult
The last comprehensive immigration reform was enacted under President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Since then:
- Major reform efforts have failed during the presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
- The 2013 “Gang of Eight” bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support (68-32) but stalled in the House.
Visual Description:
A historical timeline would show the 1986 reform as the last major milestone, with subsequent efforts marked by initial progress but ultimate failure.
Limitations of the Data and Analysis
- Legislative records capture bill introductions and outcomes, but not informal negotiations or behind-the-scenes efforts.
- Success rates may understate the impact of bills that influence policy debates or executive actions, even if they do not become law.
- Recent data (2025) is preliminary and subject to change as the 119th Congress continues its session.
- Court decisions and executive actions can rapidly alter the policy environment, complicating long-term trend analysis.
Practical Implications for Stakeholders
For Immigrants and Families
- Fee increases and the end of fee waivers may make it harder for low-income applicants to access legal status or humanitarian protections.
- Potential loss of TPS protections could force hundreds of thousands to leave the United States 🇺🇸 or live in legal limbo.
- Employment-based reforms may create new opportunities for skilled workers, but only if bills advance beyond committee.
For Employers
- Mandatory E-Verify requirements could increase compliance costs and administrative burdens, especially for federal contractors.
- Labor shortages in key industries may persist if employment-based reforms stall.
For Policymakers
- Bipartisan interest remains strong in targeted reforms, especially around employment and humanitarian issues.
- Comprehensive reform faces significant political hurdles, but incremental progress is possible through narrowly focused bills.
Actionable Takeaways and Next Steps
- Monitor the progress of S.1589 and other key bills in the 119th Congress for potential changes to parole and employment-based immigration.
- Stay informed about upcoming TPS expirations and related executive actions, as these could affect legal status for hundreds of thousands.
- Employers should prepare for possible E-Verify expansion by reviewing current compliance procedures and monitoring legislative developments.
- Individuals seeking immigration benefits should check for updated application forms and fee schedules on the USCIS official website.
- Advocacy groups and stakeholders should engage with lawmakers to support or oppose specific provisions, especially those affecting vulnerable populations.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, while comprehensive immigration reform remains a distant goal, the steady increase in bipartisan bill introductions and recent legislative activity suggest that Congress has not entirely given up on the issue. Instead, the focus has shifted to targeted reforms, with employment-based immigration and humanitarian protections leading the way.
For authoritative updates on immigration policy and legislative developments, visit the USCIS Policy Manual.
Conclusion
The data shows that Congress has not abandoned bipartisan immigration reform since 2015. While comprehensive, system-wide changes remain out of reach, bipartisan engagement continues, especially in the form of targeted, narrowly focused bills. The introduction of S.1589 and other recent proposals in the 119th Congress demonstrates ongoing legislative interest, even as political and legal challenges persist. Stakeholders should remain vigilant, as the policy landscape is likely to shift further in the coming months, with significant implications for immigrants, employers, and the broader US economy.
Learn Today
Bipartisan → Support or cooperation by two political parties in the legislative process.
Immigration Parole → Temporary permission for certain individuals to enter or stay in the U.S. without formal admission.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → Humanitarian status allowing nationals from designated countries to stay temporarily during crises.
E-Verify → An electronic system used to confirm employee eligibility to work in the United States.
Legislative Bill → A proposed law presented to Congress for debate and approval.
This Article in a Nutshell
Since 2015, bipartisan immigration reform persists despite low bill passage. Targeted bills like S.1589 show ongoing legislative interest amid complex political and legal challenges reshaping US policies in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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