U.S. Lawmakers Rally to Tackle 195-Year Green Card Backlog for Indian Professionals by Urging President Biden

Key Points:

• A bipartisan group of 56 US lawmakers led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon have urged President Joe Biden to take executive action to resolve the 195-year Green Card backlog for Indians.
• The current backlog disproportionately affects Indian tech professionals and has reached a staggering 195 years due to the country cap on employment-based Green Card allocation.
• The lawmakers are appealing to the administration to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India, providing relief to high-skilled visa holders and reducing the wait period.
• Additionally, they are requesting all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications to be marked as "current" to allow applications to be filed regardless of priority date, potentially enabling employment authorization changes.
• Aman Kapoor, President of Immigration Voice, calls this proposal a "game changer" for nearly one million high-skilled immigrants, highlighting the need for fair treatment and equal rights in the US immigration system.

Introduction:

A significant backlog in the allocation of U.S. Green Cards for Indian professionals has prompted a bipartisan group of 56 U.S. lawmakers to take action. Led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon, they are calling on President Joe Biden and his administration to address the pressing issue. The backlog, which currently stands at a staggering 195 years, has raised distress and uncertainty among Indian professionals, especially those in the tech industry. In this blog, we will delve into the details of this pressing issue and the proposed solutions to alleviate the situation.

The Struggle of the Green Card Backlog:

The current backlog affecting Indian professionals seeking U.S. Green Cards is a direct consequence of the seven percent country cap on employment-based Green Card allocation. This cap has disproportionately impacted India due to the high number of skilled workers from the country seeking permanent residency in the United States. As a result, the Green Card allocation process for Indian nationals has become severely backlogged, hindering their ability to fully contribute to the U.S. economy and society.

A Plea for Executive Action:

In light of the ongoing Green Card backlog crisis, the bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging President Joe Biden to take executive action. The primary request is to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India, which would significantly reduce the current 195-year-long wait period. By expediting the allocation process, the administration aims to provide relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders and alleviate their distress.

Marking Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications:

The lawmakers are also appealing to the administration to mark all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications as "current." This proposal would enable applicants to file their applications without being restricted by their country-based priority date. Such a measure could potentially make many eligible for employment authorization documents, allowing them to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad without facing any penalties.

The Impact on Indian Professionals:

The Green Card backlog disproportionately affects Indian tech professionals, who play a vital role in maintaining the United States' competitive edge in technology industries. However, the lengthy wait period hinders these talented individuals from fully contributing to the country's growth and innovation. The proposed executive action aims to address this issue and provide high-skilled immigrants with equal opportunities and rights as their counterparts from other countries.

Calls for Equality and Fairness:

Aman Kapoor, President of Immigration Voice, has strongly supported the proposed changes, referring to them as a "game changer" for nearly one million high-skilled immigrants in the U.S. Kapoor has criticized the current "discriminatory" immigration system that forces Indian nationals to wait for 200 years for a Green Card while citizens from other countries experience no wait at all. He emphasizes the need for basic human rights and fairness, urging the Biden administration to prioritize the rights of high-skilled immigrants who have been contributing to the U.S. for over a decade.

Conclusion:

The pressing Green Card backlog for Indian professionals has caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers, prompting them to call for executive action. The proposed changes, if implemented, could significantly reduce the wait period and provide much-needed relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders. The plea for equality and fairness in the immigration system is a vital step towards acknowledging the contributions of Indian professionals and fostering a more inclusive and competitive U.S. workforce. As this issue unfolds, the Biden administration faces the challenge of resolving the backlog and finding a lasting solution to ensure a fair and efficient immigration process for all applicants. Stay tuned for updates as this critical situation continues to develop.