Lawmakers Rally for Green Card Reform at Tech Immigration Summit

Lawmakers from both Democratic and Republican parties convened at the US Capitol for the inaugural 'Tech Immigration Summit' hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora (FIIDS), emphasizing the urgent need to address the Green Card backlog and H-1B visa-related issues impacting Indian professionals. Led by Congressman Ro Khanna and other prominent figures, the summit advocated for eliminating the seven percent country quota for Green Card issuance, a move deemed crucial to reducing waiting periods exceeding 20 years for Indian immigrants.

Khanna underscored the invaluable contributions of immigrants to Silicon Valley's growth, advocating for rational immigration policies. He championed the Eagle Act, aiming to abolish country caps to prevent perpetual visa status and protect American workers.

Congressman Eric Swalwell echoed Khanna's sentiments, highlighting the necessity of immigration reform to tackle broader societal challenges. Similarly, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar emphasized the economic benefits of retaining skilled immigrants in the US, denouncing the current broken immigration system.

Representatives Rich McCormick and Raja Krishnamoorthi urged Congress to pass relevant legislation to address these pressing issues. Khanderao Kand from FIIDS stressed the importance of revising immigration policies to prevent backlogs and enable technology professionals, particularly from India, to contribute fully to innovation and job creation in the US.

The summit facilitated discussions among policymakers, impacted individuals, and technology entrepreneurs, aiming to drive policy changes both in Congress and the administration.