The Basis of the VAWA

The Violence Against Women Act was enacted in 1994. It was and is more than just a statement against the nonstop gender-based violence against young girls and women.

The bill provides vital and legal avenues for domestic violence and abuse survivors. Self-petitioning is one of the legal avenues available to these individuals. With this tool, they can seek a green card independently of their abusive family member, who they have come to depend on because they are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).

It empowers victims by giving them control over their immigration status and offering them an opportunity to escape their abusive circumstances. Immigration lawyers and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) consider VAWA petitions under humanitarian immigration.

The Eligibility Criteria for VAWA Petitions

The dedicated USCIS link for VAWA petitioners mentions a straightforward eligibility criterion. It says that a VAWA petitioner must be a victim or survivor of battery or “extreme cruelty” by one or more of the following:

• A spouse or former spouse who is a US citizen or LPR;
• A parent who is a US citizen or LPR;
• An adult child with US citizenship.

Thus, the USCIS does not approve VAWA petitions if a victim’s abusive child is an LPR or if the abusive party is a sibling or extended family member. However, it may approve petitions filed by minor victims of abuse.

Below is an extended version of the department’s eligibility criteria for VAWA petitioners. As the applicant, you must establish these facts to be eligible for a green card on humanitarian grounds.

• Battery/Extreme Cruelty: The petitioner must establish that they have been subjected to abuse or extreme cruelty by their US citizen or LPR spouse, parent, or adult child through evidence;
• Relationship: You don’t have to be biologically related to your abuser, but they must be your legal parent, children, or spouse. The latter could be a former spouse, but you must possess the official documents proving you were legally married to them at least two years before filing the petition;
• Cohabitation: You must have lived under the same roof with your abuser at some point. Cohabitation only becomes optional when the petitioner has a parent-child relationship with their abuser;
• Pass the Character Test: You should demonstrate good moral character during all the phases of the immigration process;
• Current Legal Status: A VAWA petitioner has the right to a green card on humanitarian grounds whether or not they are a documented immigrant. Their immigration status might be scrutinized, but it does not make or break their case;
• The Timeframe: There is no official timeframe for filing a VAWA petition. However, if you’re divorced, you must file your VAWA petition no later than 2 years after your divorce.

The Green Card Process for VAWA Petitioners

The process of submitting a VAWA petition involves several key steps.

• Collecting Evidence: You must establish the grounds for a VAWA self-petition by gathering evidence of the abuse. Admissible documents include medical reports, police reports, photographs, witness statements, and other media relevant to the abuse claim;
• Complete Form I-360: You must submit the Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360) to the USCIS;
• Additional Evidence: If needed, you can attach relevant evidence with Form I-360 or submit a personal statement about the abuse and your relationship with the abuser in your own words. This statement provides context and humanizes your petition;
• Apply for Employment Authorization: A VAWA petition could take years to process. To ensure you are financially independent during this time, apply for employment authorization if you are eligible to file a concurrent I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status;
• Green Card Interview: The USCIS may schedule you for an interview to further assess the authenticity of your claims. They will then decide whether to issue you a green card and make you a lawful permanent resident.

Once you become an LPR, you don’t have to depend on a spouse, parent, or child to maintain permanent status in the US. You can live your life and pursue legal avenues to distance yourself from your abusive situation.

Are You Ready to File a VAWA Petition to Start Anew in the US?

The VAWA petition remains a beacon of hope for victims of domestic violence, offering a lifeline to those trapped in abusive situations. It provides victims and survivors a pathway to safety, independence, and justice.

By understanding the eligibility criteria, compiling relevant evidence, and navigating the petitioning process diligently, survivors can assert their rights and move toward a future devoid of their abuser(s).

As society progresses towards a more equitable future, so should you with the VAWA petition. While our guide covers most bases, ensure you take all the right steps with Ingrid Borges Perez’s immigration law consultations. Capitalize on her experience to ensure success with your immigration application process.

Schedule your virtual appointment online.

Schedule an immigration law consultation to let us walk you through the intricate steps of marriage-based green card, from filing the petition to the immigration interview, which is the last and most important step for the beneficiary, aka foreign-born individual, being sponsored by their US-based spouse, petitioner, and sponsor.

We dedicate today’s blog to some useful marriage immigration interview tips to ensure a green card at the end of the line.

Revisit the Submitted Documents Before the Interview

You are usually called in for your biometrics and interview after the following steps are completed:

• The US-based spouse submits the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and completes the I-130 package (provides supporting documents to establish a relationship with the beneficiary);
• The beneficiary applies for an adjustment of status if they are present in the US at the time or consular processing if they aren’t in the US at the time of the filing of the marriage-based petition.

During these two steps, you and your petitioning spouse must file several documents to prove your marriage is real, financial status, and health status and reveal other details of your life to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Needless to say, the process involves lots of paperwork, not to mention the many questions you and your spouse must answer in the forms.

Although these forms contain many mundane and seemingly unnecessary bits of information, the beneficiary and petitioner must revisit all tax returns, places of residence, employment histories, and what have you before the immigration interview to ensure their answers align with everything a USCIS officer sees in the documentation.

Consistency is the key to a successful interview, and the road, although tedious, ends in a permanent status in the US.

Discuss the Details of Your Relationship with Your Partner

People have different impressions of subjective experiences, such as how they saw their partner during the various stages of their relationship, how they proposed, how the family perceived their relationship, how they spend their downtime together, and so on.

You may assume certain things about your relationship that your partner may or may not agree with and vice versa. The smallest details of your life together may be scrutinized during the interview.

Communication is important in the days leading up to your interview. Spend some time in your spouse’s physical or virtual presence and review the facts and circumstances of your relationship. Get your story straight before you’re asked to share it during your immigration interview.

Dress the Part and Arrive Early

Dressing for an immigration interview is no different from doing so for a job interview. When in doubt, dress professionally and conventionally.

It’s the time for conservative button-downs, safe slacks, and sleek footwear. It’s also a good idea to avoid things that draw attention away from the purpose of the interview. All that can wait until you’re in the country.

Set out your clothes, jewelry, and other accessories the night before so that you can arrive at the USCIS local office early, avoid unnecessary stress, and look the part of someone who’s committed to the application process.

Stay Calm, Confident, and Respectful

Take a deep breath before entering the USCIS interview room. It will help you stay calm as you enter the room and maintain it even if the officer’s style of questioning is intimidating and nerve-wracking.

It’s rare for them to come across that way, but it’s entirely possible, seeing as their job involves verifying the legitimacy of your relationship. Remember not to take it personally, maintain eye contact, and answer the questions as clearly and concisely as possible. It’s okay to be a little nervous, given the gravity of the situation.

If you don’t understand a question, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. It’s better to seek clarity than to provide incorrect information.

Lastly, refrain from rude retorts, outright confrontations, and emotional outbursts, as that could end the interview immediately, and you’ll have your answer right there and then.

If you felt that the USCIS officer was unnecessarily rude or offensive, bide your time, finish the interview, and report them for misconduct after the fact.

Don’t Provide Incorrect Information or Outright Lie During Your Immigration Interview

A lie won’t end your interview as quickly as a rude confrontation, but it will result in rejection. Never lie or provide incorrect information to a USCIS officer. They could charge you for fraud or willful misrepresentation.

If you don’t know the answer to a question or are unsure, it’s better to be honest than give them a reason to think you are intentionally trying to misrepresent a material fact for a green card.

Along the same lines, try not to predict your spouse’s answers if they are not in the same room. Just provide answers from your perspective or say you don’t know.

Hire an Immigration Lawyer

If you have concerns about your interview or need personalized guidance, consider seeking legal advice from an immigration attorney. They can provide expert insights tailored to your specific situation. An attorney can prepare you for the interview with mock interviews, review of the case and evidence submitted, and anticipate issues along the way.

Contact with IBP Immigration Law, an immigration law firm founded by Ingrid Borges Perez, Esq., an immigration lawyer who has years of experience in immigration law and marriage-based green cards. When it comes to marriage-based immigration of all types, it is better to do it right the first time. Denials are expensive and can take a significantly longer to correct errors

Get in touch for questions and concerns regarding our firm’s immigration services.

The Importance of Permanent Residency in the US

Before we start doling out the pathways to permanent residency, let’s take a moment to discuss the importance of this status. Not everyone in the US has a green card, a document alluding to their permanent status there.

Possessing such a document would mean an individual has the right to live and work in the US for as long as they want. They don’t have the same rights as US citizens, but the document is a stepping stone from LPR status and naturalization.

A green card gives you access to education, employment, and social services necessary for acclimatization in a new country. It’s a significant milestone and can lead to more significant milestones in your quest for a better life.

The Family-based Categories for Permanent Residency in the US

Getting a green card through family sounds simple enough. There are two primary pathways for US citizens and LPRs to sponsor family members: Immediate relatives and family preference categories.

Immediate Relatives: Reuniting Loved Ones

The US immigration system prioritizes the immediate family members of US citizens reunite families as soon as possible. Thus, the immigration system does not cap the number of visas available for this category.

It involves the following immediate family members:

• Spouses: Spouses of US citizens qualify for marriage-based immigration, a petition we shall discuss in more detail later;
• Unmarried Children: Any unmarried children of US citizens under 21 qualify for a green card as immediate family members;
• Parents: Parents of US citizens who are 21 or above can sponsor their legal parents for a green card.

Family Preference Categories: A Broader Spectrum

Family preference immigrant visas are divided across four, technically five, categories based on the characteristics of the petitioner and the legal status and age of the sponsored family member.

This category encompasses the broader spectrum of familial connections. Although well-intentioned, these petitions can take years and even decades to process and approve.

The family preference categories are as follows:

• First Preference (F1): The unmarried children of US citizens who are 21 or above;
• Second Preference (F2A): The spouses and unmarried, minor children of LPRs;
• Second Preference (F2B): The unmarried children of LPRs who are 21 or above;
• Third Preference (F3): The married children of US citizens and any children under 21 the former might have;
• Fourth Preference (F4): The siblings of US citizens, the latter being 21 or above.

The Journey to Permanent Residency in the US: Family-based Immigration Petitions

The path to obtaining a green card through family involves several stages and adherence to a well-defined application process.

The first step is filing an immigration petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)., which the sponsoring family member must do. They must be an LPR or US citizen.

As soon as the petition is approved, they establish a relationship with the beneficiary, aka the family member(s) they hope to bring to the US.

Below are the types of immigration petitions the sponsor can file. We can, of course, provide immigration law consultations to help you through all of these petitions.

• Marriage-based Petitions
  US citizens and LPRs can sponsor their spouses for permanent residency in the US. They must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. It is here that they, meaning the petitioner, must prove their marriage is real, establishing the grounds for marriage-based immigration of their foreign-born spouse.

The spouse, or beneficiary, is considered an immediate relative if the petitioner is a US citizen. They are forgiven for certain immigration violations, like overstaying their non-immigrant visa or working when said visa doesn’t allow them such a right.

Conversely, the spouse of an LPR or green card holder does not fall under the immediate relative category. They instead fall under the F2 preference category, meaning they don’t get the same benefits as the immediate relatives of a US citizen.

• Petitions for Parents
  You can petition to have your biological or stepparents relocate to the US. If you’re a US citizen, your parents will be considered your immediate relatives. They will have the same benefits as the ones mentioned for the spouses of US citizens.

While this category is technically without an annual cap, it is reserved only for the parents of US citizens who are 21 and above. There is no preference category for the parents of LPRs.

• Petitions for Children
  As a US citizen, you can petition for the permanent residency of your minor children, adult unmarried/married children, and any minor or adult stepchildren whose parent you married before their 18th birthday.

While children under 21 are considered immediate relatives, adult children (21 or above) are not. Therefore, they do not have many benefits (no caps, overstaying their non-immigrant visa, etc.) granted to immediate relatives. They might be subjected to a longer wait time due to the annual cap on preference categories.

The preference categories for children of US citizens and LPRs are as follows:

• First Preference (F1) for the adult, unmarried children, biological or otherwise, of US citizens;
• Second Preference (F2A) for the minor children, biological or otherwise, of LPRs;
• Second Preference (F2B) for the adult children, biological or otherwise, of LPRs;
• Third Preference (F3) for the adult, married children, biological or otherwise, of US citizens.

• Petitions for Siblings
  US citizens can petition for siblings under the Fourth Preference (F4) category. As the last preference, these petitions have the longest wait times. Significant backlogs exist, and your biological or step-sibling might have to wait 12–15 years before reuniting with you.

Unfortunately, there are no pathways to permanent residency for the siblings of green card holders, aka LPRs.

• Fiancé(e) Visa
  US citizens can sponsor a fiancé(e) born in a foreign country for a K-1 visa. It is a non-immigrant visa, but it serves as a stepping stone to permanent residency in the US.

Once your partner is granted this entry permit, they must fly or sail to the US and marry you within 90 days of arrival. Your foreign-born partner can then apply for permanent residency in the US with the Department of Homeland Security. They must meet some conditions reserved for immigrant visas to qualify for a K-1 visa and the subsequent adjustment of status.

What Comes After Filing an I-130 Petition?

After the petition filing comes the priority date, adjustment of status or consular processing, and interview. The beneficiary must undergo all these steps before arriving in the US or achieving permanent status during their stay.

Below is a preview of these post-petition steps.

• Priority Dates
  Since green cards have annual limits, each family-based immigration petition is assigned a priority date. The Department of State publishes a monthly visa bulletin displaying the availability of green cards for all preference categories. Petitioners and beneficiaries can track their application progress by priority date and preference category.
• Adjustment of Status
  If the beneficiary is in the US on a non-immigrant visa when the petition is filed, they may apply for an adjustment of status. After filing Form I-1485, they can become a permanent resident after their priority date becomes current—earlier than the cut-off date listed in the monthly bulletin.
• Consular Processing
  Conversely, if the beneficiary is away from the US, they must undergo consular processing at their nearest US embassy or consulate for an immigrant visa.
• The Journey to Interviews
  Once your priority date is current, the consulate or embassy will schedule you for a biometrics appointment and interview. They will thoroughly examine your eligibility and familial relationship and decide whether to grant you an immigrant visa.
• Receive Your Green Card
  Once the immigrant visa is granted, the beneficiary will receive a “Visa Packet” that they cannot open. They must pay a USCIS immigrant fee so that the USCIS can process this packet and produce their green card.

After getting their green card, the beneficiary can enter or stay in the US as a permanent resident.

Considerations for the Application Process

Securing permanent residency in the US through familial connections comes with plentiful rewards. The beneficiary can live, work, and study in the US without worrying about overstaying their visa. They can access healthcare insurance, social services, and public education and even apply for US citizenship.

That said, as a beneficiary or petitioner, you must remember the following before starting the application process. Think long and hard about whether the rewards of permanent residency are worth experiencing the following hiccups.

• Green Card Backlogs: Family preference categories have annual quotas, whereas immediate relatives are not beholden to numerical limits. The higher up the preference chain you belong, the shorter your wait time and vice versa. The reason for the lengthy wait: A backlog of all those who applied before you;
• Extensive Documentation: Due to the rise in fraudulent green card marriages, the application process requires extensive documentation to establish the authenticity of the relationship and the eligibility of both the petitioner and beneficiary;
• Grounds for Denial: The USCIS may deny your application due to criminal records, health issues, lack of necessary vaccinations, substance abuse, etc. Ensure the beneficiary doesn’t come under these inadmissibility factors before filing the petition;
• Financial Criteria: Petitioners might be required to meet certain financial obligations to prove they can support the beneficiary.

Seek Legal Advice and Guidance for a Smooth Process

Given the complexity of the immigration process, especially regarding the documentation, requirements, and eligibility criteria, seeking legal guidance is highly advisable. Immigration lawyers and professionals with expertise in family-sponsored permanent residency can provide valuable assistance.

They understand the intricacies of these immigrant visas and can help ensure accurate documentation, navigate potential roadblocks, and streamline the entire process. Are you worried about the above hurdles to permanent residency in the US? Don’t think twice before seeking legal advice at IBP Immigration Law.

Avail Green Card Application Assistance Online

Family-sponsored permanent residency is a crucial part of the US immigration system. It is the cornerstone of family reunification and a promising future for our country. Through immediate relatives and family preference categories, individuals can receive the prized green card that has been the ticket to a bright future for entire generations.

Although the journey involves challenges and waiting periods, the opportunity to create a fresh chapter with loved ones on American soil inspires and motivates immigrants from around the globe.

Does it inspire you enough to settle down in the US? Schedule an immigration law consultation with Ingrid Borges Perez, Esq., an immigration lawyer who has aided many petitioners and beneficiaries in three languages.

Contact us for further assistance and information regarding the process of legal immigration consultations.

Outdated laws are only a small factor in a system marred with shortcomings that hinder its effectiveness and fairness.

Today’s blog comprehensively reviews the US immigration system, particularly its problems and potential solutions.

The Problem: An Inherently Drawn Out and Complex Process

One of the most pressing issues contributing to our current green card backlog is the lengthy and intricate motions applicants are asked to undergo. The wait time for visa approvals is 5-7 working days, with two additional days for delivery.

Green card and citizenship applicants are subjected to further wait times, adding to their frustration, anxiety, uncertainty, and insecurity.

The complex bureaucratic procedures deter eligible candidates from pursuing legal pathways to immigration, and many are forced to enter the country through unauthorized means. We already know the detention conditions for undocumented immigrants, but there wouldn’t be a need to detain them if the system provided more paths towards lawful immigration.

The Solution: Streamlining the Process

There are many avenues to streamline family- and employee-based immigration and reduce the green card backlog, killing two birds with one proverbial stone.

The immigration system could accelerate document processing by using technology. Faster communication between one department and another could also cut the application time by half.

It also bears noting that the lack of funding exacerbated the immigration caseload after the pandemic. USCIS is funded by applicants and petitioners, not by taxpayers. Unfortunately, it has yet to reflect on the caseload, which remains as severe as ever.

The Problem: Decades-Long Wait Times for Family-based Immigration Applicants

Green card holders sponsoring family members, particularly unmarried children, from heavily populated countries have been in the backlog since as far back as 2001. The separation has resulted in missed milestones and even led to a family member’s death from the petitioner or beneficiary’s side before reuniting with their loved ones.

The Solution: Revise the Policies

There’s an urgent need to revisit family-based immigration policies, starting with expanding annual visa quotas for these categories. Addressing the annual limits individually for different countries or removing them altogether could alleviate the backlog. It would also allow families to reunite sooner.

The Problem: The Stringent Eligibility Criteria for Family-based Immigration

The current US immigration system prioritizes immediate relatives—spouse, minor child, or parent—of US citizens.

Apart from immediate relatives, who remain the priority, the remaining family-based immigration applicants are divided into the following preference categories:

• First Preference (F1): The unmarried children of US citizens who are 21 or above;
• Second Preference (F2A): Spouses and the minor, unmarried children of lawful permanent residents;
• Second Preference (F2B): Unmarried children of lawful permanent residents aged 21 or above;
• Third Preference (F3): Married children of US citizens;
• Fourth Preference (F4): Siblings of US citizens, with the latter being 21 or above.

The problem with the above list is obvious: If you aren’t directly related to a permanent resident or US citizen, you don’t qualify for a green card through family.

The Solution: Expanding the Definition of Family-based Immigration

Once the backlog issue is resolved, it should be easier to expand what qualifies as “family” in the US immigration system. It should reflect the evolving nature of familial relationships in modern society.

At the very least, family-based immigration should bring extended family members into the fold. Interpretations of “family” can be integrated into the definition much later.

The Problem: The Limitations of the H-1B Visa Program

The H-1B Program is a special immigration category reserved for highly-skilled foreign workers. It has faced criticism for its limitations and abuse. Some instances include:

• Underpaying workers;
• Laying off local workers to hire underpaid non-American staff;
• Forcing local workers to train their replacements.

Even without the abovementioned points, the program ties H-1B visa holders to their sponsoring employers, creating a power dynamic that enables worker exploitation and limited job mobility.

To make matters worse, the annual cap on H-1B visas is often exhausted within days, making it a challenging route for deserving applicants.

The Solution: Redressing the Power Imbalance

Enhancing the H-1B visa program’s integrity involves exploring avenues for reducing employer dependence. Allowing visa holders greater job mobility and the freedom to switch employers without jeopardizing their status would empower foreign workers and prevent exploitation.

On the US workers’ end, the system could introduce a reward program for foreign workers, incentivizing them to report forced training and unfair dismissals.

Lastly, revising the cap allocation system to prioritize high-demand industries instead of putting a one-size-fits-all limit on everything and reducing dependency on the lottery system could make the program more effective.

The Problem: The Shortcomings of the Diversity Visa Lottery

The Diversity Visa, or DV, Lottery program promotes diversity and provides opportunities for individuals from underrepresented countries. However, it has faced criticism for its randomness and potential security risks.

Even more concerning is the fact that a program that claims to be diverse excludes applicants from certain countries because the US saw an influx of more than 50,000 natives in the last five years from these nations.

While the exclusion intends to give individuals from other countries a higher chance of getting a green card and increase diversity, it doesn’t account for individual populations or the socioeconomic conditions that might force individuals to flee their homeland.

The Solution: Make Everything Less Random

Strengthening the DV program could address the criticism that it is too random. It could involve implementing rigorous security checks and vetting procedures to ensure that only eligible and legitimate applicants are selected.

Additionally, considering a point-based system that evaluates an applicant’s skills, education, language proficiency, and other factors could enhance the program’s effectiveness while maintaining its diversity-focused goals.

As for excluding countries from participating in the DV program, addressing the quota issue could solve that problem. If more individuals are granted green cards through family and employers, they won’t have to consider alternate avenues like these programs.

The Problem: Lack of Clear Pathways for Undocumented Immigrants

The decline in the unauthorized immigrant population does not mean the US immigration system has started providing undocumented immigrants more pathways to citizenship. It just indicates stringent measures at the borders.

The absence of clear pathways for undocumented immigrants to adjust their status and contribute legally to society remains a significant drawback of the US immigration system. This situation doesn’t always lead to a happy resolution, as shown in the movies and TV shows.

In the real world, it creates vulnerable populations susceptible to exploitation and limited access to basic rights and resources.

The Solution: Creating a Path to Citizenship

The American Immigration Lawyers Association has been working hard to advocate for a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants and those without permanent status.

Most of these immigrants have established roots in the US, have no criminal record, and contribute positively to their communities.

Creating paths to legalization would acknowledge undocumented immigrants’ economic and social contributions and align with the principles of fairness and compassion.

It would also reflect the diversity-leaning approach the US immigration system has taken recently.

The Problem: Failure to Retain International Graduates

Did you know that Canada offers postgraduate work visas to international graduates? Did you know these permits could be turned into permanent residency visas? Australia and the UK also provide many pathways for students to stay and work in their countries long after their students are supposed to have expired.

Conversely, the US lacks a clear pathway for students to continue staying and start working in the country after graduation. As a result, our country loses out on the talent we helped cultivate with our education system.

The Solution: Create Postgraduate Work Opportunities

The first and most obvious solution to this problem is implementing a clear pathway from student visas to work visas for international graduates.

The second is creating postgraduate work opportunities for these students. The US immigration system could extend Optional Practical Training (OPT) periods to all student visa types. The US currently reserves this opportunity for F-1 students.

The third option could be incentivizing employers to hire international graduates so they would be highly motivated to keep them within the US.

The Problem: Limited Employment-based Immigration Quotas and Categories

The US immigration system might end up issuing 197,000 work visas this year. While this sounds like a lot, it’s not much in the global context.

The system offers limited visa quotas and categories, often failing to accommodate the diverse skill sets required by the evolving job market. The allocation of visas under these constraints can lead to a backlog of applications and a struggle for employers to secure the talent they need.

The Solution: Adjusting Visa Quotas to Market Demands

Word on the street is that the immigration system regularly assesses green card stats for different countries to ensure diversity.

Similar regular assessments of labor market needs can inform adjustments to visa allocations for various skill levels and industries. By reflecting the demand for specific skills, the system can prevent shortages and align with the dynamic nature of the job market.

Although categories like EB-1 extraordinary ability visa and EB-3 skilled worker visa help distinguish employees, they are limited by quota constraints. It would be nice to have separate quotas for these categories to better meet market demands in the future.

The Problem: Lack of Pathways for Low-Skilled Workers

The current US immigration system favors high-skilled immigrants, making low-skilled workers a third preference for employment-based immigration. This leaves them with limited pathways for legal entry. This discrepancy often results in a reliance on unauthorized labor, leading to exploitation and unfair treatment of vulnerable workers.

The lack of avenues for workers who don’t have a college degree also creates a vacuum in our low-paying, physically demanding industries where understaffing has reached an all-time low.

The Solution: Raising Quotas for Low-Skilled Worker Visas

It’s time for archaic laws that limit the entry of low-skilled workers in the US to give way to amendments and new bills. Revamping the visa system for such immigrants is the need of the hour.

The US immigration system can create new visa categories or expand existing ones to meet the demand for essential low-skilled labor. The increase in legal pathways would prevent the exploitation of undocumented workers and increase the scrutiny of the treatment and wages of these labor workforces.

Overcome Every Hurdle with Our Immigration Law Consultations

The US immigration system has its heart in the right place. It prioritizes the ideals of opportunity and inclusion but faces an array of shortcomings that need urgent attention. By addressing issues such as the lack of clear pathways for undocumented immigrants and limited quotas, policymakers can work towards a more just, efficient, and humane immigration system.

If you are one of the rare few who qualify for a green card through family, employment, or any other means, find the right legal assistance with our immigration attorneys, who have tackled cases related to family, employment, humanitarian immigration, and investor visa programs.

Get in touch for inquiries and further assistance regarding our legal services.