Bill Overview
Title: Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2022
Description: This bill increases the number of employment-based immigration visas available. The total number of additional visas made available under this bill shall be based on a formula relating to certain types of visas issued from FY1992-FY2021. These visas shall be available in FY2023 and in subsequent fiscal years until they are used. Furthermore, the yearly cap on the number of employment-based immigration visas that are made available to a single country shall not apply to the visas made available under this bill. (Generally, individuals from a single country may only receive up to 7% of such visas made available in a fiscal year.)
Sponsors: Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals seeking employment-based immigration visas to the United States, particularly from oversubscribed countries.
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill is directly relevant to individuals seeking employment-based immigration visas to the United States.
- This includes individuals from countries with historically high numbers of applicants where the demand exceeds the 7% cap, such as India and China, among others.
- By removing country caps for the additional visas, it addresses individuals in the backlog who have been waiting due to these caps.
- Given the employment-based nature of the visas, this specifically affects skilled workers in fields that are in demand in the U.S.
- Increased visas could affect families of applicants as well, as obtaining a visa could alter their living and employment circumstances.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets high-skilled immigrant workers, particularly those from countries like India and China, where backlog issues are most severe due to the 7% per-country cap.
- Around 5,000,000 people are estimated to seek employment-based visas, and the policy directly affects them by potentially reducing wait times and uncertainty.
- The budgetary constraints mean the policy may need to focus on high-demand sectors and manage the volume of applicants effectively.
- Some segments of U.S. citizens, such as workers in similar industries, may feel indirect competitive pressure, but others may benefit from diverse skills entering the market.
- Based on historical application patterns, the people most affected are those already in professional jobs in the U.S. who are in backlog, their families, and employers.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am stuck in the backlog for years, and this policy would finally help me get a green card faster.
- It's been stressful to deal with the uncertainty of my visa status.
- This change could significantly improve my quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Research Scientist (New York, NY)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- By removing the 7% cap, my application will finally move forward.
- I can focus on my research without worrying about my family's future in the U.S.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Biotech Engineer (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not from an oversubscribed country, this could potentially speed up my case due to reduced bottlenecks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Nurse Practitioner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is important as it might ease my transition to permanent residency.
- However, my country isn't as severely impacted by the backlog, so the effect may be minimal.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't directly impact me right now, but streamlining processes generally could open more opportunities faster.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
HR Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Availability of a larger talent pool will greatly benefit hiring processes.
- Potential challenges include adjusting to changes in procedural workflows.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Mechanical Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased competition from skilled foreign workers could impact wages in my field.
- The policy's impact on job market needs monitoring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Film Production Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could provide options for easier transitions for people like me in film and entertainment industries.
- Yet, no direct impact as Canada is less restricted by the backlog.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Automotive Engineer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This won't directly affect my status or job, but could influence labor competition dynamics in engineering fields.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
IT Consultant (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 54 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally resolving the backlog would remove years of stress for me and my family.
- This is a much-needed change, long overdue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $41000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $42000000)
Year 5: $34000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $45000000)
Year 10: $37000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $48000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $60000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential labor market effects and competition with U.S. workers.
- Possible need for expanded public services (education, health care) for new residents.
- Long-term demographic benefits and challenges related to increased immigration.