Senator Reuben Gallego (D-AZ) has unveiled a proposal aimed at providing pardons for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. This initiative also includes a significant increase to legal immigration levels, potentially bringing a substantial influx of immigrants into American society.
Positioning himself as a moderate voice from a border state, Gallego has outlined a plan that trades heightened immigration rates for commitments to border wall construction, prioritizing the deportation of undocumented individuals who have committed crimes, and implementing programs that require employers to vet potential employees while allowing them to work legally in the U.S.
One of the most significant aspects of Gallego’s proposal is its effort to “assist key visas and green card caps” by raising the annual allocations for these to foreign nationals.
With over a million legal immigrants having recently entered the U.S., this marks a high point in immigration, especially in comparison to other developed nations. The proposal also aims to “remove caps per country,” intended to prevent certain countries from monopolizing employment-based green cards.
By abolishing these national caps, it’s highly likely that India and China will secure most of the available green cards in the coming years.
Other components of Gallego’s plan include efforts to enhance refugee resettlement, streamlining the process for foreigners seeking employment in the U.S., and introducing a new visa category designed to facilitate job acquisition for immigrants.
Additionally, the proposal will provide pardons for those undocumented immigrants previously registered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
At the southern border, Gallego’s plan calls for the establishment of immigration processing centers, particularly at strategic ports of entry along the border.
In many ways, Gallego’s approach mirrors initiatives put forth by FWD.US—a group of technology and business investors advocating for increased immigration—and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents some of the largest companies in the country.
However, numerous Americans have expressed through polls a preference for reduced immigration levels, as the foreign-born population has soared to nearly 52 million, contributing to an overall U.S. population exceeding 340 million.
