Bipartisan Bill Introduced To Eliminate Green Card Cap
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal have introduced a bill to eliminate the Green Card country cap.
Joining the two Democrats is Republican Rich McCormick (GA).
The December 1 bipartisan legislation aims to eliminate the 7% per-country limit on employment-based immigrant visas and increase the 7% per-country limit on family-sponsored visas to 15%.
It wants to change the employment-based visa system, which grants permanent residence or “green cards” to individuals contributing to U.S. economic growth and competitive advantage. Currently, this system, while initially merit-based, allocates visas based on the country of the intended immigrant’s birth, leading to significant backlogs and delays, Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of ending country-based discrimination in the immigration system pointing out the detrimental effects of high-skilled workers languishing in green card backlogs, unable to fully contribute to the nation.
H.R. 6542 intends to create a more efficient and secure immigration visa process, allowing American employers to prioritize merit over birthplace when hiring immigrants. The bill also addresses the prolonged wait times faced by approximately 95% of employment-based immigrants currently residing in the U.S. on temporary visas. The proposed phased-in system, building upon the bipartisan EAGLE Act, aims to alleviate backlogs for those facing extended waiting periods.
Like the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, the bill includes provisions to phase out the per-country cap for employment-based immigrant visas. It also proposes a transition period and seeks to strengthen the H-1B temporary visa program, ensuring a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.
The Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act of 2023 represents a collaborative effort to reshape the U.S. immigration landscape, promoting fairness, efficiency, and economic prosperity. As the legislation progresses, it marks a significant step toward addressing longstanding challenges within the immigration system.
