The Democratic Party, currently in power in the US, introduced the Citizenship Bill on Wednesday. The bill, known as the ‘American Citizenship Act 2023,’ includes provisions to eliminate the country-based quota for Green Cards and proposes changes to the H-1B visa system.
Congress member Linda Sanchez introduced the bill, which aims to grant citizenship to all 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the US.
It also proposes reforms to the employment-based immigration system, including the removal of per-country caps.
Additionally, the bill aims to facilitate the stay of individuals with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from American universities.
Benefit for Indians
The proposed changes in the bill could potentially benefit Indians in several ways. It aims to streamline the process of obtaining green cards for individuals working in low-wage industries. Furthermore, it proposes granting work authorization to dependents of H-1B visa holders and excluding the children of H-1B visa holders from the visa cap.
The H-1B visa is widely used by US technology companies to hire skilled foreign workers, including a significant number from India and China.
Understanding the Green Card
The Green Card, officially known as the Permanent Resident Card, serves as proof that the holder has been granted permission to reside in the United States permanently.
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, expressed her pride in introducing the US Citizenship Act and emphasized its potential to address the shortcomings of the immigration system.
Igniting a New Debate
The introduction of the bill has sparked a fresh debate in the country. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighted the contributions of immigrants in building America and emphasized the need for immigration law reform.
He stated that the current immigration system is broken and called for a thoughtful and comprehensive solution that aligns with the values of the nation.
The Citizenship Bill has set the stage for discussions on immigration reform,
as lawmakers and stakeholders engage in deliberations over the future of US immigration policy.
