In September, the House voted on a STEM bill (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics ) but it was defeated, because it offset the increase
in visas for high-tech graduates by eliminating another visa program,
i.e. the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, that is available for less-educated
foreigners, many from Africa. This time, the Republicans are changing
the formula by adding a provision which would expand a program that allows
the spouses and minor children of people with permanent residence, or
green card, to wait in the United States for their green cards to be granted.
This proposal would allow family members of green card holders to come
to the US one year after they have applied for the green card, but would
not let them work until the family members receive their green card. However,
if implemented, the program would eliminate the Diversity Visa Lottery
Program which gives 55,000 green cards a year to those from countries
with low rates of immigration to the US.
To read more about the this new proposed bill, please
click here.