Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) voted in support of H.R.1044, the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act. The bill puts an end to the per-country percentage limits that has caused backlogs in the employment-based green card system. This would ensure all are treated equally regardless of their country of birth. This bill would also modify the per-country limits in the family-sponsored green card system.

"We have skilled professionals here in America, but too many have been held back by application backlogs. Today the House moved to modernize our visa programs by leveling the playing field for all applicants,” said Rep. Pascrell, an original cosponsor of the bill. “H.R. 1044 will move us away from an outmoded system fraught with delay and allow immigrants to work in pursuit of the American Dream.”

Decades-long backlogs for employment-based green cards are causing children of certain visa holders to lose their legal status when they turn 21. H.R. 1044 would resolve this issue while ending systemic discrimination in the green card system against populous countries. It is expected to significantly reduce wait times by half for most backlogged applicants in the family-based immigration category.

Rep. Pascrell has been one of Congress’ most prominent voices in defense of immigrants’ rights. In the 115th Congress, Pascrell helped lead the fight demanding that Republican leadership allow a vote on the DREAM Act. In May 2018, Pascrell signed a bipartisan discharge petition to force a vote to protect America’s Dreamers as Republican leadership continued to delay. Two months prior to that, he excoriated continued Republican inaction on the legislation. A fierce opponent of Donald Trump’s inhumane immigration policies, Pascrell made a surprise visit in June 2018 to the ICE Detention Center in Elizabeth, NJ to visit with separated families and observe conditions within the facility.