![\"Bipartisan](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-124070125,imgsize-99512,width-400,resizemode-4\/representative-image.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA bipartisan coalition of US lawmakers have revived a legislation aimed at providing a pathway to citizenship for over 2.50 lakh \u2018documented dreamers\u2019 \u2013 these children were born outside the US, say in India, but brought to the US legally by their parents. They are children of non-immigrant visa holders like the H-1B visas, on turning 21 years, these children age out (they lose their dependent H-4 visa status) and have to self-deport to another country or change their visa status to that of an international student.The bill \u2013 the America\u2019s Children Act, would establish age-out protections so that documented dreamers can keep their place in the green card line after their 21st birthday. This would preserve their legal status and prevent families from splitting up owing to archaic immigration regulations.Owing to the decades-long employment-green card backlog faced by Indians, the Indian diaspora is the most adversely impacted. According to an earlier analysis by David J Bier, director of immigration studies at Cato Institute, as of March 2023, the employment based green-card backlog from India (EB-2 and EB-3 skilled category) had reached 10.7 lakh, and nearly 1.34 lakh children were expected to age out before a green card was obtained. Indians face a disproportionate backlog because green cards are capped at 7% per country of birth, regardless of the number of applicants from each nation.This bill is set to be reintroduced by Senators Alex Padilla (Democrat) and Rand Paul (Republican) along with Representatives Deborah Ross (Democrat) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican).It seeks to create a pathway to permanent residency for documented dreamers, who meet the specified criteria. This includes: they were lawfully present in the US for an aggregate period of at least eight years before turning 21; they were lawfully present for an aggregate period of at least ten years at the time of filing the petition (application); they graduated from a US institution of higher education.\u201cThe long green card wait times have forced many young people who have known no other home but America to leave the country,\u201d said Senator Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee. \u201cThis bill is about righting a wrong created by an outdated immigration system. It prevents hard working youth from \u2018aging out\u2019 of their parents\u2019 visa status and opens additional green card opportunities for Documented Dreamers.\u201dUnder the Biden administration, the America\u2019s Children Bill did n, necessitating its reintroduction. Advocacy groups including Improve the Dream, Americans For Prosperity, and the National Immigration Forum have endorsed the legislation. Dip Patel, founder of Improve The Dream, stressed the importance of the bill: \u201cFixing this loophole ensures America benefits from the talents and ambitions of the children it raised and educated. We urge Congress to act swiftly and pass the America\u2019s Children Act.\u201d As the debate on immigration reform continues, this bipartisan effort highlights yet another attempt to protect documented dreamers.<\/div>\n