Comments on the Senate Passed Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act

David J. BierThe Senate passedan amended version of the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act (S. 386/H.R. 1044). The bill has already passed the House of Representatives ona massive 365-65 vote. Since then, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) repeatedly attempted to pass the bill on “unanimous consent” under which any member can object—which led to deals with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Rand Paul (R-KY), David Purdue (R-GA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) that amended the House bill. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) who was the latest member to object lifted his hold last night, allowi ng final passage.The Senate version is now substantially different from the House version with deleterious provisions to which the House Judiciary Committeehas already voiced opposition, but it has also committed to finding common ground to resolve.  What ’s in the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act, December 2020 version?Green card reforms:Phases out employment-based per county limits on green cards: The main purpose of the legislation is to treat all employment-based immigrant visa applicants on a first-come, first-served basis without regard to birthplace. Under current law, immigrants from no single birthplace can receive more than 7% of the total number of immigrant visas or green cards issued in a year unless they would otherwise go unused. The effect of this provision is that while Indians are half the skilled employer-sponsored applicants, they receive just 10 percent of those green cards and —...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs