Sunday, May 30, 2010

Getting Immigration right

It is sad to see what is happening in Arizona with illegal immigrants and we are in the year 2010.
Also, it is amazing that for a country with a rich colorful immigrant history and which is made up of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,5th ... generations from immigrants are so angry about other people immigrating to the USA. You would think that after so many years this country and its leaders would by now get the immigration laws right, not just for illegal immigrants but also for legal non-immigrants who are contributing to the growth of the economy of this country, and paying their taxes. Most of us know about illegal immigrants. But who are these non-immigrants who are living here legally and contributing to the growth of this economy? They are tertiary level educated, experienced H1b and L1 workers from various countries that American companies in most industries in the USA have recruited to work in their organization. They have significantly contributed to the growth of the organization for which he or she works for over three years or six years. The contract usually lasts six years after which the worker has to leave this country and return to his or her country of origin. To remain in the USA after six years the worker may be able to obtain a green card or permanent residency if the company for which he or she works decides to sponsor such an employee. Therein resides the problem of these workers. If for some reason the employer falls out of favor with the employee for whom he or she has started the permanent residency sponsorship process then the employer at his or her whim and fancy can terminate such an employee ending the process. This should not be the case. The immigration law should be one, where if a law abiding non-immigrant, employee has worked in an organization in this country on a H1b visa or a L1 visa at any point in time, for over a year full time, with no criminal history nor no link to any terrorist group, pay his or her taxes; then such an employee should be able if they so choose to remain in the USA, should be able to sponsor himself on herself and immediate family for permanent residency. Who is lobbying for this group of legal non-immigrant residents? That’s my question. If anyone reading my blog has had such an experience tell me about it. Let us start a discussion while the senate and congress contemplates to fix the immigration law hopefully not only for illegal immigrants but also for legal non- immigrants. It’s time that these legal non-immigrants speak out and stop allowing fear to stop them in their tracks.

TMAS

No comments:

Post a Comment