SALAZAR PROPOSES LEGAL IMMIGRATION PLAN

Today, Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) released a “discussion draft” proposal to fix our legal immigration system.

After decades of inaction, an overhaul is long overdue. A dysfunctional legal immigration system incentivizes illegal immigration, slows economic growth, and harms the American workforce. 

This proposal puts families first, reduces backlogs, improves employment-based visa opportunities, and modernizes student visa processing.

“This policy will help Miami and the United States maximize our entrepreneurial spirit and continue leading in job creation, innovation, research, and economic growth,” said Congresswoman Salazar.

*It is important to note that this policy is intended to be combined with Rep. Salazar’s Dignity Act introduced earlier this year, which stops illegal immigration through border security and enforcement measures. It also provides undocumented immigrants the ability to live with dignity in the United States while their immigration status is resolved.

An update to the legal immigration system is only possible with these strong security measures in place.

A copy of the proposal can be found here and a section-by-section analysis can be found here.

The Proposal includes the following provisions:

Fairness for Immigrants:

·      Country caps – raise from 7% to 15%.

·      Cuts backlogs at 10 years for all numerically capped visa categories.

·      Includes language to prevent minors aging out.

Family Immigration:

·      Removes limits on immediate family of LPRs in the F2A category.

·      The American Families United Act. 

·      The Temporary Family Visitation Act. 

Improving Employment Based Opportunities:

·      The H-4 Work Authorization Act.  

·      Excludes derivatives from EB visa totals.

·      Exempts STEM PHD holders from H-1B visa caps.

Modernizing Student Visas:

·      Requires OPT users pay FICA taxes.

·      Allows F student vias to be dual intent.

·      Modernizes burden of proof that students must currently show to study in the U.S.

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Congresswoman Salazar is actively seeking feedback on the details of this proposal. All comments and suggestions should be submitted to JMK@mail.house.gov by January 31, 2023.

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