Pramila Jayapal leads effort to improve the immigration system

Indian American lawmaker Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), is leading 16 bipartisan members of Congress in calling on the Biden administration to move forward with a proposed rule that would improve the immigration system.

Jayapal, ranking member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, and 16 other members made the call in letters to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Jaddou.

READ: I navigated a complex immigration system: Pramila Jayapal (May 30, 2024)

“The current immigration system is broken and in need of dire reform,” wrote the members. “Unfortunately, for decades, Congress has failed to rise to the challenge and enact serious solutions. Despite the lack of congressional action, the Department has the ability under existing law to improve the immigration system so that it better serves American families and the economy. Over the past several years, the Department has taken important steps to improve the immigration system, but more can and should be done.”

The proposed rule would make numerous changes to modernize and streamline the US immigration system by alleviating many problems including reducing processing times and promoting the use of immediately available visas.

Specifically, the proposed rule would:

• Revise the age calculation under the Child Status Protection Act to provide more clarity and consistency for children at risk of aging out of their status (commonly referred to as documented Dreamers) as dependents on their parent’s visa applications;
• Authorize employment under certain circumstances for dependents, including spouses and documented Dreamers, in the United States waiting for a green card;
• Provide relief to people stuck in the employment-based green card 4th Preference category backlogs (including religious workers);
• Amend regulations regarding travel authorization for recipients of Temporary Protected Status; and
• Allow individuals flexibility in their jobs while they are here lawfully on a temporary visa and awaiting their green cards.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), James McGovern (MA-02), Jerrod Nadler (NY-12), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).