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New Immigration Bill Proposed by House

In September, the House voted on a STEM bill (science, technology, engineering and mathematics ) but it was defeated, because it offset the increase in visas for high-tech graduates by eliminating another visa program, i.e. the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, that is available for less-educated foreigners, many from Africa. This time, the Republicans are changing the formula by adding a provision which would expand a program that allows the spouses and minor children of people with permanent residence, or green card, to wait in the United States for their green cards to be granted. This proposal would allow family members of green card holders to come to the US one year after they have applied for the green card, but would not let them work until the family members receive their green card. However, if implemented, the program would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery Program which gives 55,000 green cards a year to those from countries with low rates of immigration to the US.

To read more about the this new proposed bill, please click here.