US Senator Padilla renews push for green card bill for long-term residents

The Story in Brief

US Senator Alex Padilla (Democrat, California) has reintroduced legislation to overhaul the green card system for long-term US residents, including H-1B visa holders. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act's Registry provision, changing the eligibility cutoff from January 1, 1972 to a rolling date. This would allow millions who have continuously lived in the US for at least seven years to apply for permanent residency. The bill is co-led by Senator Dick Durbin and has endorsements from over 30 organisations.

The move aims to address massive green card backlogs that disproportionately affect Indian professionals. Due to a 7% per-country cap on employment-based green cards, Indians constitute about 80% of the pending backlog. Data cited by the senator’s office shows only 305 people adjusted status under the current Registry between 2015 and 2019. The bill would benefit over eight million people, including undocumented immigrants brought as children ('Dreamers') and Temporary Protected Status holders, as well as skilled workers facing waits exceeding 15 years.