What Does the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 Mean for Business-Related Immigration?
What Does the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 Mean for Business-Related Immigration?
The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, lays the framework for Congress to address many immigration issues that have been locked in gridlock for years in Washington. The proposed bill was crafted to address four major immigration issues. The 844 page long act would tighten border controls, allow more levels of workers to legally immigrate, require employers to verify that workers have legal status, and create an opportunity for those who are in the United States illegally to gain citizenship through a detailed legal process.
Background
Under present laws, the Unites States allows a much larger proportion of permanent green cards to family members of United States citizens and current permanent residents, than to foreigners with job prospects here. About two-thirds of permanent legal immigration to the Unites States is family-based, compared to about 15 percent that is employment based. Many members of Congress are interested in boosting employment-based immigration to help the United States economy, and to compete with other countries around the world in attracting talent to the United States workplace.
Business owners, entrepreneurs and business lobbying organizations want Congress to allow the United States immigration system to legally bring in more highly-skilled workers and more lower-skilled workers such as agricultural laborers. Advocates also want workers who have legally worked in the United States for an extended period of time to have an easier time qualifying for permanent status. Despite guarded opposition by labor unions, language in the 2013 bill addresses these issues.
What is in the Bill Relating to Business-Related Immigration?
The bill proposes a move to a more merit-based immigration system by eliminating certain categories of family
The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, lays the framework for Congress to address many immigration issues that have been locked in gridlock for years in Washington. The proposed bill was crafted to address four major immigration issues. The 844 page long act would tighten border controls, allow more levels of workers to legally immigrate, require employers to verify that workers have legal status, and create an opportunity for those who are in the United States illegally to gain citizenship through a detailed legal process.
Background
Under present laws, the Unites States allows a much larger proportion of permanent green cards to family members of United States citizens and current permanent residents, than to foreigners with job prospects here. About two-thirds of permanent legal immigration to the Unites States is family-based, compared to about 15 percent that is employment based. Many members of Congress are interested in boosting employment-based immigration to help the United States economy, and to compete with other countries around the world in attracting talent to the United States workplace.
Business owners, entrepreneurs and business lobbying organizations want Congress to allow the United States immigration system to legally bring in more highly-skilled workers and more lower-skilled workers such as agricultural laborers. Advocates also want workers who have legally worked in the United States for an extended period of time to have an easier time qualifying for permanent status. Despite guarded opposition by labor unions, language in the 2013 bill addresses these issues.
What is in the Bill Relating to Business-Related Immigration?
The bill proposes a move to a more merit-based immigration system by eliminating certain categories of family