1965 Hart-Celler Act Repeal Sought by Incoming Texas Congressman

Jace Yarbrough, a Republican elected to represent a Texas district in the U.S. House, told Fox News he supports halting all immigration into the United States and repealing the 1965 law known as the Hart-Celler Act, according to a report published by Fox News. Fox News also reported that Yarbrough raised concerns about the application of Sharia law in Texas, though the report did not detail the specific basis for that warning.

What immigration position has Yarbrough staked out?

Fox News reported that Yarbrough favors stopping immigration to the United States altogether rather than pursuing more limited restrictions, and that he wants Congress to repeal the 1965 Hart-Celler Act. The report, as reviewed for this story, did not include a direct quote from Yarbrough laying out a legislative plan, a timeline, or the mechanism by which he would seek to advance a repeal once sworn in.

What did Yarbrough say about Sharia law in Texas?

The Fox News headline and report describe Yarbrough warning about Sharia law in Texas. The available reporting does not specify where in Texas he believes Islamic religious law is being applied, what evidence he cited, or whether the claim was tied to a specific legal case or community. No independent documentation in the source material corroborates the scope of the claim beyond Fox News' characterization of Yarbrough's remarks.

Who is Jace Yarbrough, and when does he take office?

Fox News identifies Yarbrough as a Rep.-elect from Texas, meaning he won election to the U.S. House but had not yet been sworn in at the time of the report. The report did not specify which Texas district he will represent or the date of his swearing-in.

As characterized in Fox News' report, Yarbrough's stated position is to end immigration into the United States and repeal the 1965 law that replaced national-origin quotas in federal immigration policy.

What would repealing the Hart-Celler Act require?

Any repeal of a federal statute, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, would require passage by both the House and Senate and either a presidential signature or a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto. Fox News' report did not say whether Yarbrough has introduced or plans to introduce specific legislation toward that end.

Has the claim drawn reaction from other lawmakers?

The Fox News report reviewed for this story did not include comment from other members of the incoming Congress, from Democratic lawmakers, or from immigration or civil-rights organizations regarding Yarbrough's remarks. Fox News framed him only as an incoming GOP congressman without noting whether party leadership has addressed his positions.