US: BILL SEEKING TO END COUNTRY CAPS ON GREEN CARDS LAUNCHED

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers on Thursday are introducing a comprehensive immigration reforms bill that seeks to cut the wait time for green cards, allow dependents of some H-1B visa holders to work, and open a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Most importantly for Indians seeking US citizenship, the country cap for green cards will be removed, which usually keep some Indian-origin applicants in queue for decades. The bill will also make it easier for graduates of US universities with advanced STEM degrees to stay.

The US Citizenship Act of 2021 will be introduced in the in the House by Representative by Linda Sanchez on Thursday, and in Senate by Robert Menendez next week. It mirrors President Joe Biden’s immigration legislation outlined when he took office. Republicans, whose support will be critical for its enactment, have expressed reservations about the bill.

The bill establishes an eightyear path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US by January 1. It will benefit the so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the US illegally as children.