What to Expect from the President’s Executive Order on Immigration
Contrary to popular belief, the President’s executive order on immigration that President Obama announced Thursday also targets a very large pocket of immigrants that fall outside of the 4 million unauthorized individuals. In fact, the new changes should make life much easier for skilled workers and foreign graduates of American universities all across the United States.
One significant change would allow people who are currently on temporary work visas to change jobs and accept promotions while they wait for their green cards, without losing their place in line. This is truly significant because of the baffling backlog of green card applicants, some of whom have been waiting for permanent residence for years, who are stuck in their unfavorable careers. Another measure would allow a larger number of foreign students and graduates from American universities to work legally in the United States for up to 29 months, up from 12 months, in the areas of their training. Last but not least, a change that is most welcomed by the technology sector will make it far easier for foreign “inventors, researchers, and founders of start-up enterprises” to stay in the country and obtain green cards.
Although the president’s executive order will undoubtedly have an impact on immigration in the United States, it will also most certainly impact how Congress operates in the future. The reactions of President Obama’s opponents will have significant repercussions on the nation’s immigration policies. However, if cooler heads prevail amongst Republican leaders, the president’s opposition may be able to move forward to lead the next Congress into a productive session. We may even be witnesses to Congress “passing a bill”, as the President mockingly suggested in his speech last week. Unfortunately, the more likely reality will be a reaction focused on shutting down the government and challenging the president’s executive authority, doing nothing to change a governmental legislative process that has been the victim of much animosity in the past decade or so. A breath of fresh air exists in the form of those that, although in dispute with the President, would like to move on and restore order on Capitol Hill. How successful they are will be indicative of what to expect from Congress and President Obama within the next couple of years.
How far reaching are these changes, and how many immigrants and their families actually stand to benefit from them? Only time will tell, weighing on the shoulders of federal agencies like the USCIS and their willingness to comply and implement the regulations set forth by the President.
If you have any questions, please contact the team here at Buda Law Group and get a free consultation regarding any of your immigration needs.
Thank You,
John B. Buda, Esq.
www.budalawgroup.net office: 626-796-1422 john.buda@budalawgroup.net 1201 W. Huntington Dr. Suite 209 Arcadia, CA 91007