Indian professionals will have an easy immigration process| System aims to revamp legal permanent residency
US President Trump is ready to move to a new system that overhauls the US immigration policy to give preference to foreigners based on merit.
The proposed system mirrors the point-based system of countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. As per officials, the plan will favour immigrants with “extraordinary talent” and people who work in professional and specialised vocations.
- The new plan aims to further strengthen border security and revamp the system of legal permanent residency.
- The plan is reportedly the brainchild of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jarred Kushner.
- New system will give an easier access to people with merit, higher degrees and professional qualifications.
- In comparison, existing system is preferential to family ties and allows easier access to those with relatives in US.
- The move may result in ending the agonising wait of hundreds of Indian professionals aiming for Green Cards.
Currently, approximately 66 per cent green cards come from family ties. Mere 12 per cent are given on the basis of skills. The new plan will have more emphasis on people with skills and qualifications suited to the US.
But Congress is divided
The passing of the new plan will not be easy to come by with the Congress divided on partisan lines, on the immigration reform issue.
Opposition Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are not in favour of handing over such a policy success to the President.
The Trump Administration plans to make it an election issue in 2020 if the opposition Democrats are unwilling to take it forward. Trump and Kushner have reportedly briefed Republican lawmakers on the issue.
The plan is not likely to alter the existing number – 1.1 million green cards issued every year. On the contrary, the policy focuses on issuing more than half the green cards to those with employment or skills. The move is expected to benefit hundreds of Indian professionals on H-1B visa, awaiting their Green Card over a decade.
