Indian American Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal, along with Georgia Republican Rich McCormick, have jointly introduced a bipartisan bill called H.R. 6542, known as the Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act of 2023. This legislation is aimed at reforming the U.S. immigration visa system by eliminating the Green Card country cap, fostering economic growth, and addressing the green card backlog.
According to Krishnamoorthi, who is the Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the bill is designed to revolutionize the employment-based visa system. Currently, this system, initially merit-based, allocates visas based on the country of the intending immigrant’s birth, leading to significant backlogs and delays.
The proposed legislation focuses on ending country-based discrimination in the immigration system. It aims to eliminate the 7% per-country limit on employment-based immigrant visas and increase the 7% per-country limit on family-sponsored visas to 15%. Krishnamoorthi emphasized the detrimental effects of high-skilled workers facing green card backlogs, hindering their ability to contribute fully to the nation.
H.R. 6542 seeks to establish a more efficient and secure immigration visa process, allowing American employers to prioritize merit over birthplace when hiring immigrants. It addresses the prolonged wait times for approximately 95% of employment-based immigrants currently on temporary visas in the U.S. The bill, building upon the bipartisan EAGLE Act, aims to alleviate backlogs for those facing extended waiting periods.
Similar to the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, the legislation includes provisions to phase out the per-country cap for employment-based immigrant visas and proposes a transition period. It also aims to strengthen the H-1B temporary visa program, contributing to a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.
The collaborative endeavor aims to reshape the U.S. immigration scenario through the Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act of 2023. As the legislation progresses, it signifies a significant step toward addressing longstanding challenges within the immigration system, promoting fairness, efficiency, and economic prosperity.
