New McCain/Kennedy Immigration Bill Could Bring Drastic Reform
The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, proposed May 12, 2005 (S. 1033/H.R. 2330), offers hope for immigration reform in the near future. This bill establishes comprehensive reform, as well as:
- A new essential worker visa program
Initially capped at 400,000, the new H-5A would offer opportunities for work in America without immigrants being bound to employers. Criterion for the visa includes demonstrating the ability of a job in the U.S. , payment of $500 fee, and security and medical checks. Similar to the H-1B class visa, H-5A visas expire after three years and may be renewed for an additional three years once. After 4 years of work using H-5A status, immigrants will be eligible to apply for Legal Permanent Residence by self-petition.
- Adjustment of status to temporary non-immigrant for unregistered aliens
Provided undocumented aliens undergo criminal and security background checks, establish a previous work history, submit fingerprints, and are present in the U.S. by May 12, 2005, they may pay a fine and become H-5B status nonimmigrants with a six-year term. This places previously undocumented aliens well on the road to establishing permanent residence.
By enacting this proposed immigration reform, the U.S. government hopes to curb illegal immigration while helping prior illegal immigrants emerge and become legal residents.
(06/02/2005)
For more immigration news, please click
here
|
