Reps Shri Thanedar, Ro khanna and Rich McCormick at the FIIDS Tech Immigration Summit in Washington DC / X/FIIDS

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers advocated for the removal of the 7 percent country caps on Green Cards during a recent Tech Immigration Summit organized at Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

Immigrants to the United States are granted permanent residence through the issuance of a Green Card, which is officially called a Permanent Resident Card. But since there is a limit to how many green cards can be issued, any additional applicants just add to the ever-increasing backlog.Only about 3 percent of those who submitted applications are expected to get permanent status in fiscal year (FY) 2024 a recent Cato Institute study found.

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar spoke at the event organized by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora (FIIDS). Lawmakers along with representatives from leading think tanks and members of the Indian American community, were present.

In his speech, Congressman Khanna highlighted the importance of changes in the immigration policy. “We know that immigrants have helped build Silicon Valley. So many of the companies that have started that have created so many jobs that have created so much employment have been founded by immigrants from from India, from China, from Asia, from the Middle East from Europe,” he said adding that the current immigration system “hurts” American workers.

Thanks @RoKhanna for supporting ##EagleAct to remove #countrywisequota in #gc to eliminate #greencardbacklog & also to protect their children at @FIIDSUSA event on the hill @USCIS @nancyij @khanderao @YogiChughSV @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/zNTsywoZYA

— FIIDSUSA (@FIIDSUSA) March 12, 2024

“You're hurting American workers by allowing corporations to underpay folks on an H1-B and you're hurting the families on H1-B And that's why we need to move them to Green cards and ultimately citizenship. It will help raise wages, help American workers and help these families."

“We also should be providing a Green Card to folks who are educated in the United States. It makes no sense that we're paying for someone's education at college or giving them STEM. And then we're telling them that you have to go back to where they came from when American taxpayers are funding the education. I rather they stay here, create the jobs here, instead of offshoring those jobs,” Khanna maintained.

Thanks ⁦@RichforGA⁩ for leading #hR6542 addressing countrywide quota eliminating #h1b #greencardbacklog ⁦@USCIS⁩ ⁦@USCISDirector⁩ ⁦@nancyij⁩ At #FIIDS #CapitolHill event pic.twitter.com/JW1gMvv3gk

— FIIDSUSA (@FIIDSUSA) March 12, 2024

Congressman Rich McCormick who is spearheading H.R. 6542 that seeks to eliminate the country cap on employment based immigrant visas said that the bill will clear the backlog in ten years if implemented. He asserted that the problem exists because the cap is not “based on fairness or when you're putting your application or how qualified you are. It's based on some arbitrary number. Based on equity.”

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also called for increased advocacy and support for bills like H.R. 6542 emphasizing that the bills stand for everything immigrants have achieved and accomplished over the years in America. "Indian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic minority in this country. They are the most prosperous ethnic group in this country. They are the best educated ethnic group in this country, " he said.

"And so that's why I keep supporting all of these bills. That's why I keep co-sponsoring all of these bills because I believe in you and I want your story to repeat itself over and over and over again, " he added.

Rep. Thanedar also called for fixes in the immigration system, sharing his own personal struggle to obtain a F1 visa to the United States from India. He announced that his office is currently working on improving the H1B and Green Card process but also making sure that PhD degree holders get access to green cards on a priority basis.  

"We need legal immigration solidified, our businesses need that. Every time I meet CEOs of companies, they tell me how important it is to be able to find skilled workforce. And today we are losing so many people to Australia, to Canada because they're taking advantage of our broken immigration system," Thanedar said underscoring the urgency of fixing the system.

FIIDS member Khanderao Kand stressed that while there have been efforts and legislative actions to solve issues faced by undocumented immigrants, issues faced by documented immigrants often take a back seat. In order to highlight those issues including those of H1-B, green card backlog, worker permits (EAD) and student visas (OPT) FIIDS organized the summit.

Several documented dreamers and those stuck in the backlog also shared their testimonials with the audience during the event, to give a more realistic picture of the uncertainty they face in everyday life.