US Immigration News
Obama to push ahead with immigration reforms
President Barack Obama has reassured American immigration advocates that he will go ahead with his commitment to overhaul the system.
Obama has said that he would like to see an immigration reform bill to be introduced in the Senate shortly. The president has met with Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who gave the president an outline of a bill they are drafting. Schumer said he and Graham asked Obama for help building support in the Senate for an American immigration bill.
Commenting on the meetings, the president said that he 'looked forward to reviewing their promising framework'.
Obama's pledge to reform the immigration system is important to the administration. Hispanic voters supported Obama in the 2008 presidential election, and they helped swing the result in key states like Florida; if the Hispanic lobby does not feel that enough progress has been made, then there may be a condiderable backlash at the November midterm elections.
Immigration advocates now want Schumer and Graham to release their draft and for a bill to introduced in the Senate as soon as possible.
10,000 US visas made available for foreign investors
The Immigration Act of 1990 sets aside 10,000 annual visas for foreign investors who wish to set up shop in the United States. Now in 2010, The US is making fresh moves to promote the Act in order to stimulate the economy.
Foreign investors can obtain a US visa in just three-to-six months via the EB-5 investor programme, much faster than other visa types. In addition, unlike other immigrant visas that may expire in a few years, the EB-5 offers permanent residency.
Read more: 10,000 US visas made available for foreign investors
New entrepreneur start-up visa proposed for USA
A new start-up visa is being discussed to make it easier for foreign entrepreneurs to set up in the US.
Congressman Jared Polis has made the visa proposal to attract "foreigners with good ideas" to stay in the USA.
Duke University research has shown that half of all technology companies in Silicon Valley are founded by immigrants.
The idea has been brought forward as part of a wider review of the US immigration system.
Read more: New entrepreneur start-up visa proposed for USA