During the past few years, the immigrants retaining in the United States have come down drastically. A considerable number of immigrants finish their masters or PhD or other advanced professional degrees and get back to their home country and look for employment opportunities there. Keeping this aside, Immigrants have been a strong and important knowledge base of American innovation, entrepreneurs and talent. The immigration has been playing a lead role in the improving the economy of the United States and well as in increasing the competitiveness and creating jobs.

What can be achieved with the Change to Immigration Policies?

• Economic growth
• Job Creation
• Increasing Talent
• More Innovation
• Increasing Competitiveness
• Create long-term stability

To achieve the desired, it is important to have a plan and implementation. The United States need to take a closer look at the Immigration plan which has not been changed much since 1990. Since the elections this year (2012), we have heard often on the changes expected to the immigration plans. But I think it’s time the United States design a plan and get the plan into action.

Immigration Policies worth Considering:

Increase H-1B Quota

Currently every year 65,000 H-1B visas are allotted to the immigrants. An additional 20,000 visas are allotted to the students with a masters or PhD degrees. The only way a foreign immigrant can stay and work in the United States is by having an H-1B visa. The current quota has been filling up rapidly each year. Number of H-1B visas provided per year need to be increased so that the United States retains the skilled workers and talent in the country.

Provide Green Cards to targeted graduates

This has been a topic of discussion for quite a bit now. We have a STEM Bill proposed by Lamar Smith to provide green cards to those graduating with a STEM degree holding a doctorate or master’s degree from a U.S. university. This bill has made its way by passing in the House and is pending approval in the Senate. Those who have been graduating in the United States get to only work for 6 years and then work for additional years if having a pending green card processing, and if not need to leave the U.S. Providing Green Cards to targeted graduates would help the country improve economically and competitively.

Provide Residency to Healthcare Professionals

There has been an inadequate number of doctor’s in the United States past few years now. It is expected that this number would increase to 90,000 by 2020. The United States requires more doctors and nurses for years to come. Doctors are not easy and quick to make and they require years of experience. The immigration policy needs to also consider this major upcoming problem.

Provide Entrepreneur Visas

Immigrants must also be provided with an opportunity to become an Entrepreneur and employ American workers. Currently there is no visa for immigrants to start their own company in the United States. This would undoubtedly create more jobs and improve the economy drastically if implemented.

For America, Immigration has been and will play a major role to improve its economy and create success stories. I think its time that the Immigration Reform needs to be considered and the policies need to be modified and implemented early 2013. Write us your comments, questions, feedback or experiences to [email protected]