The American Dream – How South Asians Will Benefit From The US Citizenship Act 2021
The American dream is all set to come true! The US Citizenship Act 2021 proposed by President Joe Biden, has officially been introduced in Congress. It aims to eliminate the per-country cap for employment-based green cards. This will benefit a major chunk of Indian IT professionals in America and definitely other South Asian immigrants. The act provides a diverse range of benefits. Read on to know the rules that will benefit you.
Rule 1: Immediate Residency for Green Card applicants waiting for over 10 years
Those waiting for a green card for more than 10 years would get legal permanent residency as they would be exempted from the visa cap.
Beneficiary: Indian IT professionals in America
Rule 2: 8-year citizenship for undocumented immigrants
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 won by 228-197 votes. Among 11 million documented immigrants, 500,000 are only from India.
Beneficiary: Those under the H-1B visa program – a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Beneficiaries include migrant farmworkers, children of legally immigrated parents, and IT professionals in America.
Rule 3: Graduates of advanced STEM degrees will be allowed to stay in the United States
Graduates of US Universities with STEM degrees will be allowed to stay and make a future in the US. There will be no unnecessary hurdles in employment-based green cards.
Beneficiary: The largest number of foreign students on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees are of South Asain origin. Workers in low-wage sectors can also benefit.
Rule 4: Clearing employment-based visa backlogs, recapture unused visas, eliminating per-country visa caps
The waiting times for all eligible candidates will now be shortened as a result of these measures.
Beneficiary: All eligible candidates.
Rule 5: Dependents of H-1B visa holders can now attain work authorization. Spouse or permanent partners and children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents are now exempted from caps
Beneficiary: Growth opportunities for dependents, including children.
Rule 6: Pilot program to stimulate regional economic development
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will have the authority to establish a five-year pilot program to allow any county or municipal executive to petition for additional immigrant visas to support the region’s economic development strategy. It also gives the DHS the authority to adjust green cards based on macroeconomic conditions and incentivizes higher wages for non-immigrant, high-skilled visas to prevent unfair competition with American workers.
Beneficiary: Protection to workers from South Asian countries. This will also protect the rights of minorities and has the capability to minimize racism.
