Key Takeaways:
- The EAGLE Act aims to cut the Green Card backlog by removing per-country limits on employment-based and family-sponsored visas.
- Congressman Ro Khanna criticizes the Biden administration for not advancing the EAGLE Act, attributing delays to Republican blockades.
- The EAGLE Act would boost the U.S. economy by addressing workforce shortages and reforming the flawed H-1B visa system.
Why Has the Biden Administration Not Acted on the EAGLE Act?
Ro Khanna, an Indian-American Congressman, has voiced his disappointment with the Biden administration’s inaction on the EAGLE Act. The bill addresses the backlog of Indian professionals seeking Green Cards and aims to resolve issues surrounding the H-1B visa. According to Khanna, this situation has persisted far too long, adversely affecting many immigrants.
What Is the EAGLE Act?
The EAGLE Act, officially known as the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment Act, seeks to overhaul the current immigration framework. This legislation would remove the per-country limit on employment-based Green Cards and increase the cap on family-sponsored Green Cards from 7% to 15%. By eliminating these caps, the waiting period for Indian immigrants would significantly decrease, which can currently extend beyond 20 years and, in some cases, exceed 70 years.
Why Does Ro Khanna Criticize the Administration?
Ro Khanna criticized the Biden administration and expressed his frustration in a post on X. “The EAGLE Act will benefit our economy by lifting the arbitrary per-country green card caps to bring down our decades-long backlog for immigrants. I am deeply disappointed that my amendment to include it in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act was not given a vote,” Khanna stated. He attributed the lack of progress to the Republican supermajority in the Rules Committee, which blocked his amendment.
What Are the Economic Reasons Behind the EAGLE Act?
Khanna highlighted the economic advantages of passing the EAGLE Act. “Our industrial base needs more workers to maintain a strong military and outpace our adversaries. Immigrants help fill a critical shortage and bring vital skills to our economy, supporting all Americans,” he noted. The White House has endorsed the legislation, recognizing its potential to alleviate the long-standing backlog affecting hundreds of thousands of immigrants from countries like India and China.
How Do Green Card Caps Affect Immigrants?
The current per-country green card caps result in unproductive backlogs, which ignore the realities of the workforce. Individuals can remain in temporary status for years while waiting for long-term visas, sometimes even exceeding 100 years. These conditions exacerbate the situation for many prospective employment-based immigrants who live and work in the US on temporary visas.
How Can the EAGLE Act Impact H-1B Visa Holders?
Khanna also emphasized the need to end the abuse of H-1B visas by foreign outsourcing companies. “Per-country green card caps cause unproductive backlogs and ignore the realities of our workforce. We must end H1B abuse by foreign outsourcing companies. This abuse decreases wages and harms workers,” Khanna wrote on X. The EAGLE Act would offer a more fair and systematic approach to Green Cards and long-term residency for skilled professionals.
What Comes Next for the EAGLE Act?
Khanna remains committed to pushing the EAGLE Act forward. “I’m moved by the stories I’ve heard from my constituents about how this bill would help. I will continue to champion this critical legislation and explore ways for it to be signed into law,” he expressed in his post. As per VisaVerge.com, the ongoing backlog and visa issues remain a significant roadblock for many professionals who are vital to the U.S. economy.
For more information on the EAGLE Act and related immigration policies, visit the official USCIS website.
By advocating for these legislative changes, Khanna aims to create a more equitable and efficient immigration system that benefits both the immigrants and the United States.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
- EAGLE Act: Officially known as the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment Act, this proposed legislation aims to remove the per-country limit on employment-based Green Cards and increase the cap on family-sponsored Green Cards. It seeks to reduce the backlog of immigrants, particularly from countries like India and China.
- Green Card: A document issued by the United States government that grants lawful permanent residency to non-citizens, allowing them to live and work permanently in the U.S. The backlog for obtaining a Green Card can extend for many years, especially for applicants from certain countries due to per-country caps.
- H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The EAGLE Act seeks to address and reform issues related to the abuse of H-1B visas by foreign outsourcing companies.
- Per-Country Cap: A numerical limit on the number of Green Cards that can be issued annually to immigrants from any one country. These caps contribute to long backlogs for countries with high numbers of applicants, such as India and China, and are a primary focus of the EAGLE Act.
- Rules Committee: A committee within the U.S. House of Representatives responsible for determining the rules under which bills will be debated and voted upon on the House floor. The committee’s composition can significantly influence whether amendments, such as those supporting the EAGLE Act, are given a vote.
This Article In A Nutshell:
The Biden administration faces criticism for delays in the EAGLE Act, which aims to reduce Green Card backlogs for Indian professionals. Congressman Ro Khanna calls for action, emphasizing the economic benefits and the need to address H-1B visa abuse. The stalled bill could significantly impact skilled immigrants.
— By VisaVerge.com
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