As a Miami immigration lawyer, I read with interest that today, two Republican senators proposed steps to slash the number of legal immigrants admitted into the United States by half. Below are some frequently asked questions.
Who introduced this bill to slash legal immigration, and what is the purpose of the bill?
Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue introduced the bill. Their goal is to cut the number of immigrants granted U.S. residency each year to 500,000 from 1 million, through measures including cutting far back on which relatives can be brought into the country and eliminating a diversity visa lottery. If you have any questions in regard to this, you may want to speak with a Miami immigration lawyer.
Does the bill make any mention of employment-based visas like the H-1B?
As of this date, the legislation does not address visas specifically tied to employment, such as the H-1B visas for skilled workers. If you have any questions in regard to this, you may want to speak with a Miami immigration attorney.
If passed, how would the bill affect new applicants?
If passed, the bill would admit only immediate family members of immigrants, eliminating preferences for adult siblings or adult children. Cotton said it would exclude parents unless they were sick and the family promised not to rely on public benefits. Again, if you have any questions in regard to this, you should speak with a Miami immigration attorney.
What are your recommendations for individuals who are seeking to adjust their immigration status in the United States?
It is clear that this administration is committed to severely curtailing the rights of immigrants – both legal and undocumented. If you, or a family member are undecided as to whether you should apply to adjust your immigration status, my advice is for you to not wait any longer. In the first two weeks of his presidency, President Trump has shown a predilection for using his executive power to curtail the rights of immigrants. The remainder of his administration does not bode well for incoming immigrants. If you are planning on adjusting your immigration status, now is a good time to meet with a Miami immigration lawyer to discuss your options. That way, even if the law changes and you are no longer eligible for relief, your petition would already have been filed, making it harder for the authorities to deny your petition.
If you would like more information on new anti-immigration legislation, employment-based visas, H1-B visas, or Trump immigration executive orders, please contact Miami immigration lawyer Michael G. Murray, Esq. at (305) 895-2500 or visit our website at www.mmurraylaw.com.