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Legislative bills

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Introduced to Benefit Indian Professionals and Families

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Democrats have introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill that seeks to address the lengthy wait times for green cards faced by Indian professionals and their families. The bill, proposed by Senator Bob Menendez and House of Representatives member Linda Sanchez, would remove the annual limits on green cards for each country, allowing more immigration from India. According to President Joe Biden's manifesto, 500,000 illegal immigrants from India and many Dreamers would benefit if the bill passes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill aims to remove the annual limits on green cards for each country, allowing more immigration from India and addressing the lengthy wait times faced by Indian professionals and their families.
  • The bill would benefit 500,000 illegal immigrants from India and many Dreamers, as stated in President Joe Biden's manifesto.
  • The bill would also help children of H1-B visa holders who would have become ineligible for green cards if they reach 21 years before their parents qualify for immigration, allowing them to continue with H1-B visas.
  • Spouses of H1-B workers would be allowed to work, a provision that former President Donald Trump tried to revoke.
  • The bill would introduce a pilot program to stimulate regional economic development and incentivize higher wages for non-immigrant, high-skilled visas to prevent unfair competition with American workers.
  • The wage provision would set higher minimum wages for H1-B workers on par with prevailing local wages for comparable jobs.
  • Relatives of immigrants would be allowed into the US to join their families while they await their green cards.
  • The bill would give immigrant status to about 850,000 children who were brought to the country illegally and legalize an estimate 11 million illegal immigrants.

Statistics:

  • 500,000 illegal immigrants from India and many Dreamers would benefit if the bill passes (Source: President Joe Biden's manifesto).
  • 200,000 Indian professionals in the green card pipeline would die of old age before their turn according to the Cato Institute (Source: Cato Institute).
  • The wait times for Indian professionals stuck in the "awful, hellish green card backlog" could be as long as 195 years or up to 450 years in ten years without reforms, according to Republican Senator Mike Lee (Source: South Asia Monitor).
  • 11 million illegal immigrants would be legalized under the bill (Source: South Asia Monitor).
  • 850,000 children who were brought to the country illegally would be given immigrant status under the bill (Source: South Asia Monitor).

Sources:

  • South Asia Monitor
  • President Joe Biden's manifesto
  • Cato Institute
  • State Department
  • Senate of the United States
  • House of Representatives of the United States
  • Republican Senator Mike Lee
  • Democratic Senator Bob Menendez
  • Democratic Representative Linda Sanchez

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