Thank you for your message regarding the green card backlog. I appreciate
hearing from you.
I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Comprehensive Immigration
Reform Act of 2011, S. 1258. Several provisions address family and
employment visa reforms. Among these reforms, this bill would recapture
unused visas from Fiscal Year (FY) 1992 through 1997. S. 1258 also would
increase immigration visas for children and siblings of United States
citizens and provide a specific visa allocation for unmarried children of
permanent resident aliens. In addition, this bill would allow workers who
are eligible for permanent resident status adjustment but for whom a visa
number is unavailable to apply for adjustment.
As the son of an immigrant, I believe one of America's strengths is its
diversity. It is in our national interest to build upon that strength
through a system that maximizes the positive opportunities legal immigration
affords by allowing qualified immigrants to contribute to our economy and
share their talents and strengths with our communities.
I support efforts to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is essential to
protect the safety and due process rights of our nation's immigrants at our
borders, while fully enforcing our immigration laws and protecting our
national security. In the past several years, USCIS and other agencies have
implemented policies to reduce the backlog of visa applications. In addition
, Congress has appropriated funds specifically for reducing backlogs at
USCIS.
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act has been referred to the Senate
Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member. I will continue to keep your
concerns in mind as the Senate considers these issues further. Thank you
again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
RJD/vy
