WASHINGTON, D.C. — Indian American Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal have introduced a bipartisan bill to reform the immigration visa system and eliminate the Green Card country cap.
The two Democrats joined hands with Georgia Republican Rich McCormick in crafting H.R. 6542, the Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act of 2023.
This bipartisan legislation, introduced on Friday, is designed to overhaul the U.S. immigration visa system, fostering economic growth, enhancing international competitiveness, and addressing the green card backlog, Krishanamoorthi, the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said in a press release.
The groundbreaking bill seeks to revolutionize 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 intending immigrant’s birth, leading to significant backlogs and delays.
Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of ending country-based discrimination in the immigration system. He highlighted the detrimental effects of high-skilled workers languishing in green card backlogs, unable to fully contribute to the nation. The proposed 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%.
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.
Similar to 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.