A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to eliminate per-country caps on employment-based green cards and increase the family-based green card limit, addressing the long-standing backlog of green card applicants, particularly from countries like India and China.

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Reform US Immigration System, Eliminate Green Card Backlogs

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would overhaul the nation's immigration system, addressing long-standing backlogs and improving the overall efficiency of the visa process.

The HR6542 Act, also known as the Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act, proposes two key reforms:

1. Elimination of Per-Country Caps on Employment-Based Green Cards: The bill would eliminate the per-country cap system, which currently limits the number of employment-based green cards that can be issued to nationals of a single country. This restriction has disproportionately impacted applicants from countries like India and China, leading to decades-long wait times for green cards.

2. Increase in Family-Based Green Card Limits: The HR6542 Act would also increase the limits for family-based green cards, which are granted to spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. This expansion would address the backlog of family-based green card applications, allowing families to reunite more quickly.

The proposed reforms aim to modernize the U.S. immigration system, making it more responsive to the needs of the workforce and families. By eliminating per-country caps and increasing family-based green card limits, the bill would reduce wait times, attract skilled talent, and strengthen the U.S. economy.

Representative Jayapal, a leading advocate for immigration reform, expressed her support for the HR6542 Act, stating, "I am proud to help lead this important bipartisan bill to improve our immigrant visa system and ease the harsh effects of the immigrant visa backlog."

The bill's introduction has garnered support from immigration advocacy groups, who recognize the potential benefits of the proposed reforms. Immigration Voice, a leading advocacy organization, has emphasized the need for the HR6542 Act, stating, "We look forward to visiting the Hill next week to create awareness on why this critical bipartisan bill is necessary to pass this Congress."

The HR6542 Act represents a significant step towards reforming the U.S. immigration system and addressing the long-standing backlog of green card applicants. The bill's bipartisan support and the backing of immigration advocacy groups suggest that it has the potential to gain traction in the U.S. Congress