Passing of the new Immigration bill-An Understanding of what it means to Immigrants to the US

It was a momentous occasion in every way possible and especially for immigrants, those already there in the US and those who have been contemplating on moving to the country in search of work or education. After much debate, the Senate finally passed the historic legislation on Thursday, the 27th June 2013 a much needed bill that had millions of hope attached to it. The bill offers the hope of citizenship to millions of those immigrants who have been living illegally in the shadows in the US and have so long been afraid to come out in the open for fear of deportation.

As an immediate affect, the process of immigration becomes much more transparent even while a military-style effort is announced to secure the easily penetrable border along with Mexico. In spite of the fact that there are many who are still skeptical about its prospects in the Republican-controlled House, where the conservatives are known to protect the borders, rather than have additional measures for citizenship.

The bill brings in a much needed change in the US immigration laws that have often been the cause for problems amongst those who want to settle in the US or work there. Many term this as a foregone conclusion, given the kind of support that was forwarded from the Hispanic population for Mr. Obama in the presidential election.
Though mostly, it is a move to put a check to illegal immigration, the bill will have positive effects on other counts such as reinforcing the legal status of many of those who are already working in the US, while also paving the way for citizenship for millions of immigrants who are at present working illegally in the country.

Some direct effects on the immigration population-

It would expand the number of visas that are made available for highly skilled workers in the technology industry.

A different program to be established for the lower-skilled workers, and other farm workers to be categorized under a temporary
program.

The immigration rules would not focus on making entry to the US possible for those who come here on work and education instead of only family ties as before.

Migrants to the US who are already in the country( though illegally) can now make use of new rules to declare themselves for
legalization, even though this is not meant to guarantee permanent residentship, green cards or even citizenship.

The bill also proposes to chalk out a plan that will enable business houses to check on the legal status of prospective employees.

Top CEO s from different companies both in the US and in Asian countries from where skilled workers have often been recruited, have reacted to this in a positive way. John Doerr, General Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and co-chair of TechNet, summed it up in his statement in his statement, “The passage of this monumental, bipartisan legislation is a terrific victory for our country. America’s economic success has always been based upon its ability to attract the best talent, no matter where they were born. We applaud the broad, bipartisan support for this measure in the Senate.”