Washington: The country-quota for green cards has been eliminated, and the highly desired H-1B visa system has been modified, according to the Citizenship Act, which was submitted by the ruling Democratic party. With the introduction of the US Citizenship Act 2023 by Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, all 11 million undocumented immigrants would have an earned path to citizenship, while Dreamers, TPS recipients, and select farmworkers will have an automatic route to citizenship. It also stands to provide the undocumented immigrants who pass background checks and pay taxes with a five-year path to citizenship without fear of deportation. It proposes to make changes to the employment based immigration system by eliminating per-country caps.
The Act aims to improve access to green cards for employees in lower-wage industries, give dependents of H-1B holders work authorization, and stop children of H-1B holders from ageing out of the system. It also aims to make it simpler for STEM advanced degree holders from US colleges to remain. It eliminates discrimination facing LGBTQ+ families, provides protection for orphans, and allows immigrants with approved family-sponsorship petitions to join family in the US on a temporary basis while they wait for green cards.