US Lawmakers Introduce A Bill To Reduce The Backlog Of Green Cards.

A group of influential US lawmakers has introduced a bill in Congress to recapture nearly 380,000 unused family and employment-based visas. This will reduce a massive Green Card backlog, mainly affecting immigrants from India and China.

It would allow immigrant US residents eligible for adjustment to LPR(Legal Permanent Residence) status to apply for adjustment after paying a fee but cannot do so presently due to the lack of an available visa number.

In a major boost to many Indians, this will allow individuals to receive work authorization while they wait for a visa number to become available and will prevent dependent children from "aging out" of eligibility for the LPR status.

"We all know that our immigration system is dysfunctional and it has been in dire need of reform for decades," said Zoe Lofgren.

"The basic framework for allocating immigrant visas dates back to the middle of the 20th century and was updated last seriously in 1990 when Congress established the worldwide numerical limits on visas and the 7% per-country cap that still exists today. Over time, these limitations have led to unimaginable backlogs in 1990," she said.

“The Jumpstart our Legal Immigration System Act will help reduce the backlogs, allowing the US companies to attract and retain high-skilled workers. That will enhance USA competitive advantage and position as a global leader in innovation," she said.

Congressman Torres said the legislation will begin to address the visa backlog that has prevented hundreds-of-thousands family- and employment-based visas to enter the US, while also providing relief for diversity visa winners impacted by the Trump Muslim Ban.