Immigration Reform. Elimination of Immigrant Visa Backlog.
There is no debate that a comprehensive immigration reform is long over due. We must make adjustments and modernize our immigration legal system to remain competitive in the 21st century. AILA yesterday published a Talking Point calling for the elimination of the employment based immigrant visa backlog. The argument they made is clear and concise. We can not attract the best talent and stay competitive, if it takes up to seven years to issue a green card.
In today’s employment immigration system, a green card application is filed while the candidate is in his twenties to receive approval in his thirties. By the nature of the process, we end up stifling entrepreneurial spirit rather than encouraging it. The foreign national is restricted in undertaking an intellectual or financial chance due to the uncertainly and the restrictions imposed by the pending application.
Most will agree that creative and productive talents are impatient by definition. The most talented and capable individuals will not wait a seven year period for a green card to come through. Consider the case of Sanjay G. Mavinkurve, featured in NY Times. Sanjay, an Indian national, is one of the key engineers that developed Facebook. Sanjay moved to Canada because the lengthy immigration process in the U.S. prevented him from joining his wife while the application is pending. Sanjay’s story truly demonstrates the failure of our immigration system. The fact is there are many individuals who have left the U.S. for similar reasons as Sanjay.
While producing more homegrown talent is a priority, the truth is we must remain most hospitable to talents regardless of their origin. To that end, we must eliminate the immigrant visa backlog. AILA appropriately advocates that we should recapture all family based and employment based green cards not used in prior years, exempt family members form the current numerical limitation imposed on employment immigrant visas, and provide for appropriate exemptions for U.S. graduates in the field of science, engineering and mathematics. Finally, it calls for implementing a market based cap system that more appropriately addresses our need to remain more competitive.
