The Obama immigration reform 2013 creates a pathway to citizenship for the more than 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, increases border security and overhauls a bevy of visa programs, many linked to employment opportunities.
Here is a summary of the new immigration bill reform:
– Gain “effective control” of high-risk Southern border areas—meaning at least 90% of people attempting to enter illegally are apprehended or turned back.
– Illegal immigrants could register for provisional legal status, allowing those who have lived in the U.S. since Dec. 31, 2011, to work for any employer or company and travel outside the usa, but not be eligible for federal benefit programs. They would be asked to pay a $500 penalty or fine, assessed taxes and a processing fee. People would be disqualified if convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors, among other grounds.
– Permanent residency status couldn’t be granted until the Homeland Security secretary and other officials declare the border goals to have been met. However, the bill also says undocumented immigrants can apply for permanent status after 10 years.
– All employers would be required to use the federal E-Verify system to detect illegal workers, after a five-year phase-in period, and a system must be in place to follow people with visas as they leave the country.
– Some agricultural workers and some people brought to the U.S. as children could get green cards in five years. The bill creates a visa for foreigners starting new companies in the U.S. It would increase the number of H-1B visas for highly skilled workers but requires employers who rely heavily on those visas to pay higher fees.
– The bill would create a new “W” visa for low-skilled workers. A new agency would set the annual cap for W visas based on employment conditions and labor shortages.
OF COURSE, the best way to become legal under the new reform immigration law is to ask a free immigration legal advice.