US lawmakers urge permanent residency roadmap for children of legal immigrants

Greater than 20 lawmakers have written to the US Congress, urging it to create a everlasting path to residency for ‘documented dreamers’ as a part of the upcoming Finances Reconciliation Invoice.

Documented dreamers are youngsters of long-term authorized immigrants in the USA.

They’re usually H-1, L-1, E-1 and E-2 visa holders who age out of their dependent visa standing on turning 21.

If the proposal is accepted, it’s going to assist 1000’s of Indian households who discover themselves in limbo when their youngsters age out.

Over 200,000 youngsters and younger adults reside in the USA as dependents of long-term non-immigrant visa holders. These people develop up in the USA, attend American faculties, graduate from American universities, and contribute to the vibrancy and effectivity of the US financial system, stated Democrat lawmaker Deborah Ross.

Nonetheless, once they age out of their dependent visas, they are often pressured to self-deport. As a result of they’ve maintained authorized standing, Documented Dreamers will not be eligible for cover underneath DACA (Deferred Motion for Childhood Arrivals) or the work authorization that comes with it, she stated.

Indians face among the many longest wait instances to obtain a US inexperienced card, or everlasting residency, on account of annual nation quotas. Whereas some Payments proposing reform on this course of have been recommended, they should be accredited by US Congress.

“After turning 21, Documented Dreamers are pressured to acquire their very own non-immigrant standing in the event that they wish to stay in the USA. Nonetheless, these choices are restricted and solely momentary in nature. If they’re unable to acquire their very own non-immigrant standing, they need to make the untenable alternative of remaining right here with their households with out standing or returning alone to their nation of delivery…,” the letter — co-led by Indian-American Congresswoman Ami Bera and signed by 21 different Democrat lawmakers — identified.

“There may be sturdy bipartisan help for offering aid to Documented Dreamers, and we ask that you simply think about together with all Dreamers — each those that got here to this nation with out documentation in addition to younger individuals who have maintained standing as dependents — in any upcoming reconciliation invoice,” it stated.