House Democrats have introduced a proposal to increase the annual issuance of green cards by 100,000, primarily aimed at retaining skilled graduates from American universities. This immigration reform plan, spearheaded by Congressman Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, seeks to address critical labor shortages in various sectors.
The initiative outlines several key components, including a new caregiver visa to support those caring for children and the elderly, the elimination of country-specific limits on work visas, and an increase in family visa quotas from 7% to 15%. Additionally, it proposes temporary work visas for industries facing labor shortages, pathways to legal status for farmers, and a startup visa program to bolster immigrant entrepreneurship.
This proposal also emphasizes enhanced border security measures, mandating biometric scanning at all entry points by 2030. It aims to increase the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents to at least 22,000 and hire 500 additional Customs and Border Protection officers. The plan includes modernizing ports and expediting visa processing to alleviate long wait times.
The Democrats' immigration reform plan arrives amidst ongoing debates over U.S. immigration policies and labor needs. As previously reported, various industries have expressed urgent demands for skilled labor, highlighting the necessity of such measures in maintaining economic stability. For further context, recent developments illustrate the challenges faced by immigration enforcement agencies.
