Immigration Now:
New Merit-Based Immigration System
Last week, President Trump proposed another change to our immigration system. The President’s immigration proposal would focus on merit instead of “chance.” The proposal creates the “Build America Visa,” which would select immigrants based on a point system and features three high-skill categories:
1.Extraordinary talent,
2.Professional and specialized vocations, and
3.Exceptional academic track records.
Through this point based merit system, the number of legal immigrants selected based on skill or merit would increase from 12 percent to 57 percent. By focusing on merit instead of “chance,” admissions based on family relationships would potentially decrease.
In addition to the above change, the White House indicates that this proposal will prioritize the immediate family members of US citizens and permanent residents over other family based relationships. In the same statement, the White House refers to immediate relatives as spouses and children. Therefore, leaving parents of US citizens out of the definition of immediate relatives and possibly making the wait for admission longer.
If you have questions about your immigration case here in Florida, it’s important to speak with an experienced immigration attorney to discuss your specific case and circumstances. Attorney Evelyn J. Pabon Figueroa is an Associate in the Orlando office of CPLS, P.A. She is a member of the firm’s Immigration Practice Groups. Contact Attorney Evelyn today at epabonfigueroa@cplspa.com to discuss any family or marital legal issues you may be experiencing.
