1. Revamp green card system and “clean up” family backlogs by cutting family visa preferences:
2. Bring illegal workers out of the shadows by giving them indefinite temporary status: All illegal aliens currently in the US wishing to benefit must register a year after the enactment of the law. After the enrollment period and after passing background checks, the immigrant may obtain a new “Z” visa. The Z visa is good for 3 years and may be renewed indefinitely every 3 years. In order to renew it the first time, the immigrant must take and pass an English/civics naturalization test. Each time the immigrant renews the Z visa, he must pay a $2,000 fine and a $1,500 processing fee.
The immigrant will not receive any Social Security tax payments made while working illegally. Also, Z visa holders are not eligible to receive any public benefits other than emergency care and elementary and secondary education. They may not petition any relatives and will be eligible to adjust their status to permanent resident after the visa backlogs are cleared. A fine of $10,000 will have to be paid prior to adjusting status to permanent resident and the adjustment of status will take place in the immigrant’s home country through consular process. Applications will be decided upon based on new qualifying factors and equities such as home ownership, people with health insurance, level of school success of children and applicants, learning English, etc.
3. Temporary Worker Program: The new “Y” visa would be created for temporary workers. The amount of available visas would change every year determined by market need. Non-seasonal workers would get the visa for two years then would have to return home for six months before applying for another Y visa. After returning home, the temporary worker would be able to get two more 2-year visas. In total, the temporary worker would be able to obtain three 2 year visas allowing him a total amount of time to work in the US of 6 years. He would have to leave the US for six months in between each visa. They may NOT bring their family members. The worker does not have to stay with the same employer. Seasonal workers would get a 9-month visa then would have to return to their home country for three months. Upon return to home country, seasonal worker may apply for another 9 month visa that is nenewable indefinitely going through the same process. Family members may NOT accompany the applicant. The filing fee for the Y visa application is $1,500.00 and employers must show that US workers are not available. Seasonal workers must stay with the same employer. If worker needs to change employers, must wait outside the US for at least one year. There is no cap on the number of agricultural seasonal visas. *Y visa holders cannot remain in the US after the 6 year period is over unless a green card has been approved, not just being processed. The Y visa holder would have to remain outside the US while applying for a Green Card and would compete against high-skilled workers.
4. Enforcement:
This set of principles is a list of conclusions reached between the White House and the Republican members of Congress. Though not yet law, it gives a descriptive look as what the comprehensive immigration reform will require and guidance regarding what you can do today to avoid injury from these principles.
About the Author:
Sonia M. Muñoz is the President of Immigration Legal Experts, Inc.,a law firm, handling cases in all 50 states and around the world. The firm is active in assisting foreign professionals to legally enter and work in the US. Find more information about the Firm and different methods of entry into the US at www.immigrationlegalexperts.com, or by calling 1-866-482-VISA(
