Emailed this text after grammatical corrections
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Painful story of LEGAL immigration and big revenue loss to the government.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are debates on legalizing illegal immigrants but no attention is being paid to the plight of LEGAL immigrants who have been waiting several years while their application for permanent residency languishes due to an issue called "Retrogression".
This is frustrating at the least, because professionals of the highest quality, tax payers who have contributed to the US and households who have brought family values to this country are going through pain and agony.
And keep in mind that these are LEGAL immigrants who have invested several years in the country. Moreover these are researchers, scientists, doctors, & engineers; people that contribute comprehensively to the USA.
The impact of retrogression is devastating. In spite of investing several years in the country, one is unable to settle down and become a permanent resident.
- There is no flexibility to change jobs or even titles, leaving enough room for employer exploitation and keeping the wages low
- Spouses are not allowed to work.
- The visa status has to keep being extended
- The person has to leave the country with NO grace period of he or she loses their job.
- In this state of flux, it is impossible to make decisions like purchasing a house, having children, etc
One such applicant is suffering from cancer and fighting for his life, meanwhile his wife is not allowed to work and share the burden of their household. He has to work in order to fight against his illness. His dependent's cannot apply for the Social Security benefits either.
This is only one such painful story and there are nearly 400,000 people affected by the retrogression and are facing serious trauma due to retrogression. Many people are feeling doom and gloom over the delays in the I-485 processing for most employment-based categories.
The Senate and the House are discussing to resolve this dire situation via section 8001 of the S.R. 1932 by providing several measures including, allowing applicants to file for adjustment of status even when the visa number is retrogressed. This will not only help resolve the issue partially but will also indirectly generate huge amount of revenues through fees from increased number of I-485 applications. BUT THE SECTION 8001 UNDER TITLE 8 OF S.1932 IS IN THE DANGER OF BEING DROPPED. Failing to pass this bill WITH SECTION 8001, will not only be a potential loss in revenues to the tune of billons of dollars that could be used for investment in growing employment opportunites for Americans but also frustrate hundreds of talented and highly-qualified professional from coming to America thus undermining America's competitiveness in the 21st century. The govt is blind not to take immediate action and to let other continents such as Asia, Europe and Australia benefit from the migrating brain-pool that would now reach their shores.