The ruling Democratic Party introduced a Citizenship Act on Wednesday, which, among other things, seeks to eliminate the country quota for green cards and make changes in the H-1B visa system.
The US Citizenship Act 2023, introduced by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, creates an earned roadmap to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, providing Dreamers, TPS holders, and some farmworkers with an immediate path to citizenship.
It also stands to provide undocumented immigrants who pass background checks and pay taxes with a five-year path to citizenship without fear of deportation.
It proposes to make changes to the employment-based immigration system by eliminating per-country caps.
The Act seeks to make it easier for STEM advanced degree holders from US universities to stay by improving access to green cards for workers in lower-wage industries, giving dependents of H-1B holders work authorisation, and preventing children of H-1B holders from ageing out of the system.
The bill also creates a pilot programme to stimulate regional economic development and incentivises higher wages for non-immigrant, high-skilled visas to shield them from unfair competition with American workers.
The Citizenship Act proposes to reform the family-based immigration system to keep families together by recapturing visas from previous years to clear backlogs, including spouses and children of green card holders as immediate family members, and increasing per-country caps for family-based immigration.
It also eliminates discrimination facing LGBTQ+ families, provides protection for orphans, widows, and children, and allows immigrants with approved family-sponsorship petitions to join family in the US on a temporary basis while they wait for green cards.
"As the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, I am honoured to introduce the US Citizenship Act — a bold, transformative framework that will help fix our broken immigration system," said Congresswoman Sánchez.
"The US Citizenship Act will help us grow our economy, make our borders safer and more secure, and deliver a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants already living and working here," she said.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasised the role of immigrants in the making of America as he called for an immigration law overhaul.
"We do have a broken immigration system here in the United States of America, and it does require a thoughtful and comprehensive solution, an approach that is anchored in our values as a country based on two pillars."
"One, a nation anchored, of course, in the rule of law, but a nation of immigrants, people who come from all across the world to form the gorgeous mosaic that is America and the diversity in America that is and should continue to be the envy of the world," Jeffries said.
The US Citizenship Act of 2023, spearheaded by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, reflects a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of America's immigration policies. Let's dissect the key components within this comprehensive legislation:
Citizenship Pathways:
- Undocumented Immigrants: The act offers an "earned roadmap" to citizenship for roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants, including provisions for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and select farmworkers. Immediate paths to citizenship are proposed for these groups.
- Five-Year Path: Undocumented immigrants meeting specific criteria—passing background checks and paying taxes—can embark on a five-year path to citizenship without the threat of deportation.
Employment-Based Immigration:
- Elimination of Country Quotas: The Act aims to remove country-based caps for green cards, thereby addressing the backlog and ensuring a more equitable system.
- STEM Graduates: Enhancements in access to green cards for STEM advanced degree holders from US universities. Additionally, provisions are made for dependents of H-1B visa holders, ensuring work authorization and averting issues of children "aging out" of the system.
Economic Stimulus and Fair Employment:
- Regional Economic Development: Introduction of a pilot program to drive regional economic growth.
- Wage Protection: Measures to prevent unfair competition with American workers, particularly for non-immigrant, high-skilled visas. The Act emphasizes incentivizing higher wages in these sectors.
Family-Based Immigration Reforms:
- Visa Recapturing: Plans to clear backlogs by recapturing visas from previous years. Immediate family members of green card holders, including spouses and children, will benefit from this reform.
- LGBTQ+ and Vulnerable Groups: Removal of discrimination against LGBTQ+ families, protection for orphans, widows, and children, and provisions allowing immigrants with approved family-sponsorship petitions to temporarily join family members in the US.
Political Perspectives:
- Congresswoman Sánchez: Rooted in her personal background as the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, she envisions this act as transformative, fixing the broken immigration system.
- Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: Emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, values-based overhaul of the immigration system, acknowledging the dual pillars of a nation rooted in the rule of law and built by a diverse mosaic of immigrants.
The bill, as highlighted by these officials, is positioned as a transformative framework that addresses economic, social, and familial aspects while adhering to the foundational values of the United States. Its broad scope underscores the complexity and significance of the proposed changes to the immigration landscape in the country.
