A green card is officially known as a permanent resident card.
Washington:
An Indian national’s backlog in obtaining permanent residence or green card is over 195 years, a senior Republican senator said, urging his Senate colleagues to bring forward a legislative resolution to address the issue.
A green card, officially known as a permanent resident card, is a document issued to immigrants to the United States as proof that the holder has been granted the privilege of permanent residence.
Senator Mike Lee said on Wednesday that the current green card policy did nothing for the child of an immigrant whose green card application from a deceased relative was ultimately denied because his job was no longer available .
“Someone from India entering the backlog today would have to wait 195 years to receive an EB-3 green card. Even if we give their children this limbo status, none of them will have a prayer. to become a US citizen, ”Mr. Lee said. on the senator’s floor.
In fiscal year 2019, Indian nationals received 9,008 Green Category 1 (EB1), 2908 Category 2 (EB2) and 5,083 Green Category 3 (EB3) cards. EB1-3 are different categories of employment-based green cards.
Lee, the Senator from Utah, was speaking about the bill proposed by Senator Dick Durbin that seeks to protect immigrant workers and their children who are stuck in the backlog of green cards.
“Green cards are essential in the lives of so many here on temporary work visas. The backlog puts families at risk of losing their immigration status as they wait exhausted year after year to finally overcome this backlog. of green cards, ”Mr. Durbin told me.
“Our bipartisan agreement would add essential protections that were not in the original bill for immigrant workers and members of their immediate families who are stuck in the backlog. They could change jobs and travel without losing their status. “immigrant. And the children of immigrant workers would. be protected against aging so that they are not deported,” he said.
The Lee-Durbin accord would make three changes to the Fairness Act for highly skilled immigrants. First, it would immediately protect immigrants and their families who are stuck in the backlog by allowing them to “quickly deposit” green cards.
This would allow workers to change jobs and travel without losing their immigrant status and would prevent the children of immigrant workers from “aging” green card eligibility so they are not deported while waiting for a card. green.
Second, the amendment would create a green card reserved for immigrant workers who are unable to “file early” because they are stuck in the backlog overseas.
Finally, the amendment would crack down on the abuse of H-1B temporary worker visas by outsourcing companies by prohibiting a company from hiring additional H-1B workers if the company has more than 50 employees and to more than 50 percent of temporary workers.
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers in skilled occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year in countries like India and China.
“As we continue to debate how best to address the green card backlog, let’s make sure that no children from affected families are harmed or deported. It’s as simple as that. I proposed a new bill, worded very simply, to protect the Children of Immigrant Workers Act. This brief three-page bill would ensure that children do not age while waiting for a green card, ”said Durbin.
“Imagine if you brought your kids to the United States, worked on an H-1B visa and your kids are waiting for you for the green card, you pay to go to college because they aren’t qualified. of US citizens for any type of federal financial assistance. You are making great sacrifices for them and then the day comes when they will turn 21 and they can be deported and your family divided, ”he said.
“Why would we want to let this happen?” Asked Mr. Durbin.
Noting that he has met many of these young people, the senator said it breaks his heart to hear their story that they may reach a point where they will age and be kicked out.
“That is why I wanted to propose this unique specific provision. There is no reason why these children should be punished for a broken immigration system. It is not beyond our control to help them,” he added.
