Introduction:

         There are 26 letters in the alphabet, now imagine 5 times that number. That is the number of immigrant categories there are. So out of the bazillion categories, which one am I? I never figured it out.

 

         You see, every time I fill out a form, go anywhere, apply to anything. It asked for my immigration status. When I applied to governor’s school last summer, I wrote a research paper on all the possible names my status could be called: temporary, non-immigrant, non-resident alien… Like man, I was confident I couldn’t get this wrong. But then the applications opened and as I scrolled to the page that asked for my immigration status, there was three options: us citizen, permanent resident, or foreign exchange student. I’m not any of the three; I’m in the U.S. with a H4 visa. Attempting to address this issue, I emailed the university, but they never responded.

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          As of February of 2024, the foreign-born population, including legal permanent resident, legal temporary resident, and undocumented citizens, broke historical records with33 an estimated number 51.4 million people. That’s 14.3% percent of the total U.S. population. So to say this is a “minor” issue would be an insult to the millions of lives this issue affects everyday.

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         Today, we’re first going to attempt to sort out this jumble of letters that we, the 51 million people are called, and how we are being categorized. Then, explain the impact that the blockages in the current immigration system can play on people’s lives. Before finally, acknowledging why we need this process to be simplified and more accessible to global citizens.

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Analysis:

         There are four statuses of immigration: citizen, permanent resident (LPR), temporary resident, and undocumented citizens. To apply for residency as a temporary resident, one must first submit a completed green card application. The day that you submit your application to the USCIS is your priority date, which might move forward…or backwards.

 

         There are different subcategories in permanent residents and temporary residents, the most common ones being: family based, employment based, and diversity. Between the family and employment based green cards are a system called the “green card roll over”. This term means that whatever number of green cards not handed out in a category last year will “roll-over” to the other category the next fiscal year. The number of green cards handed out in total is called the “green card cap,” which has been 670,000 since 1990, more than 30 years ago.

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          Each category of green cards has its own numerical limit. For example, the number of employments based green cards is calculated by 140,000 plus the number of unused family based green cards from the prior year. Meanwhile, the number of family based green cards is calculated by 480,000 minus the number of immediate relatives’ green cards handed out plus the number of unused employments based green cards from the previous year, with a minimum floor being 226,000. However, there’s no limit on the numerical cap of immediate relatives’ green cards handed out, and for the past 20 years, the number subtracted by 480,000 have never been higher than the floor. The problem with that is if the 480,000 minus the number of immediate relatives’ green card is less than 226, 000, the number of employments based green cards that was able to roll over, is not added to the 226, 000, then the number are lost. As stated in the immigration and nationality act (INA) of 1965, each country can receive 7% of total green cards per preference category for permanent residents. While this process can be efficient for small countries like Iceland or Slovenia, to provide more diversity, it also created significant blockages for countries with a large amount of people applying for green card. For example, the wait time for people from India to receive their green card could take up to 134 years according to EB5. (and Akula & associates law firm) According to the USCIS and state department: The employment-based green card backlog currently includes more than one million people total, creating a new section of immigrant, temporary workers, waiting The long wait times for temporary workers to receive their green card, creates a new section of immigrants called “Documented” dreamers. Documented dreamers are children who came to the U.S. with their parents under a temporary work visa. If their parents receive their green cards before these children turn 21, they automatically also become permanent residents. However, at age 21, if their parents still haven’t received their green card, the children will then age out, m. Meaning that they will then apply for a green card on their own.

 

         The problem is that the gap time between when they age out and when they receive their green card can be infinitely long.  And during that time, they will be treated as undocumented citizens if still in the US without status and will risk facing deportation. According to Cato institute, survey showed that 70% of immigrants and migrants waiting for the blockages are seriously considering moving to a more hospitable and welcoming country. The foreign-born population contributes around $2.2 “trillion” to the total GDP in the U.S. and if even a fraction of these skilled workers decides to leave, it could have a fatal impact in our labor force and economy. According to Ccap 20, every president since Eisenhower has taken executive action on immigration. However, from 1991 to 2018, the wait time for all immigrants still increased 97%. (Cato institute). These blockages in our immigration system denies the people who lived here their entire lives here a sense of belonging and stability, effectively forcing them away to other countries. And according to Pew Research Center, "the number of immigrants living in the United States increased by roughly 1.6 million people in 2023."And that number is only going to increase. We need these highly skilled workers in our country for a more competitive advantage in the 21st century. There have been several bills attempts in recent years to reform the 7% per-country cap on immigrant visas, primarily in the context of addressing the significant backlogs that countries with high demand for U.S. immigration but unfortunately, all of them got lost between the house and senate. No change has been made. 

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Conclusion:

         We first talked about the historical policies that made the system we have today, and how it could be inefficient. Then we looked at how these policies can play a drastic role on not only individuals but everyone in our country. And lastly, we analyzed the economic factors in immigration and possible future policies. Immigration policies influence our society economically, socially, politically, and morally. With the immigrant numbers steady rising around the world, it is important for us to acknowledge these issues and stay informed.​