Published 09:07 IST, February 20th 2021
Biden's ambitious immigration bill likely to benefit several Indian IT professionals in US
US Citizenship Act of 2021 will most likely benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals in the United States. The bill needs to be passed by needs Congress
The Joe Biden administration has introduced the US Citizenship Act of 2021 that will most likely benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals in the US. This bill proposes to eliminate the per-country cap for employment-based green cards. The ones who are waiting for a Green Card for over a decade would receive legal permanent residency soon after they are exempted from the visa cap.
The bill first needs to be passed by Congress, House of Representatives and the Senate then will reach the White House for President Biden to sign into law. If it happens, it would bring citizenship to millions of foreign nationals, including 11 million undocumented migrants and legal settlers.
The ruling Democrats have a majority in both the House and Senate. However, in the upper chamber, they need the support of 10 Republicans to get the legislation through Congress before it can be signed into law.
"I look forward to working with leaders in the House and Senate to address the wrongdoings of the past administration and restore justice, humanity, and order to our immigration system. This is an important first step in pursuing immigration policies that unite families, grow and enhance our economy, and safeguard our security," President Biden said in a statement.
READ | Ambitious US Citizenship Act Of 2021 Introduced In Congress
US Reaches Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B Visa Cap For 2021
Meanwhile, the US received enough petitions needed to reach the Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2021. As per the process, authorities will now select the successful candidates for a work visa by a computerized draw of the total applicants. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people from across the world apply for the H-1B visa to live the ‘American dream’. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
Updated 09:07 IST, February 20th 2021