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American Dream on Hold: Only 3% Green Card Success Rate in 2024
The American dream of obtaining a green card seems increasingly out of reach for many, with a new report revealing a grim reality: only 3% of applicants are expected to be successful in fiscal year 2024. This staggering statistic, coupled with a staggering backlog of 34.7 million applications, paints a clear picture of a system under immense strain.
Employment-Based Green Cards: A Prolonged Wait for Many
For those seeking permanent residency through employment sponsorship, the outlook is particularly bleak. Only 8% (around 1.8 million) of applicants in this category are expected to secure their green cards in 2024. Despite a temporary increase in the cap on employment-based visas, demand far exceeds supply. Additionally, the current system doesn’t prioritize applicants with longer waiting periods, creating situations where some, like Indian applicants who make up half of this category, face wait times exceeding a century. This not only discourages skilled professionals from contributing to the US economy but also separates families for extended periods, causing immense personal hardship.
Addressing the Backlog: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The Cato Institute’s white paper, which sparked these concerns, proposes several key solutions to address the green card backlog. The main recommendations include:
- Relaxing Stringent Rules and Caps: Waiver of unnecessary restrictions and arbitrary caps are seen as crucial to facilitating approvals, allowing the system to function more efficiently.
- Gradual Increase in Legal Immigration: A phased approach to increase the number of legal immigrants annually is proposed to address the demand without overwhelming the system.
- Proportional Allocation of Green Cards: The paper advocates for a fairer distribution of green cards across different categories, taking into account the specific challenges faced by each, such as the significant backlog in family-sponsored visas.
The Family-Sponsored Backlog: A Case for Reform
With close to seven million pending cases, the family-sponsored backlog presents a significant hurdle. The white paper suggests a proportional increase in caps, based on the uncapped immediate relative categories, to address this issue. This could potentially result in the issuance of six million additional green cards, clearing 85% of the backlog and reuniting countless families.
Beyond Numbers: The Human and Economic Impact
The Indian diaspora, a vital contributor to the American economy and society, finds itself disproportionately affected by the green card backlog. Their plight highlights the human cost of the current system and its impact on families and communities. Additionally, studies suggest that immigration contributes significantly to economic growth and innovation, making efficient legal pathways crucial for the nation’s prosperity. Denying opportunities to skilled professionals not only harms individuals but also hinders the nation’s economic potential.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Comprehensive Reform
The findings of this report serve as a stark reminder that comprehensive immigration reform is urgently needed. Policymakers and stakeholders must consider the human and economic implications of the current backlog, and work towards creating a more efficient and inclusive immigration system that reflects the values of the United States. This system should prioritize skilled workers, reunite families, and offer a pathway to citizenship for those who contribute positively to society, ensuring that the American dream remains attainable for all.
Moreover, this system should address the root causes of migration, such as violence, poverty, and climate change, and foster cooperation and partnership with other countries in the region. This system should also uphold the dignity and rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, and provide them with adequate protection and support. By doing so, the United States can reaffirm its global leadership and moral authority on immigration issues.
