30 December 2024
The United States has historically been the most desired nation in the world to migrate to. Even today, there are forty-five million immigrants living in the United States, most of whom are now citizens [7]. Since America’s founding, immigrants have contributed greatly to our national culture, robust economy, and national security. Especially those who are highly-skilled. However, there are clear externalities such as housing market pressures, labor competition, and strains on local infrastructure that negatively impact American society. Consequently, our approach to migration has monumental effects on almost every other issue in public policy. As in any policy area, modifications to our immigration system could increase the benefits while mitigating the negative effects. Changes could include increasing the number of specific visa categories, creating new ones and streamlining American immigration policy. The United States needs high-skilled immigrants as their contributions are crucial for the competitiveness of our companies, the volume and quality of our research output, and our national security. Sectors in American society where immigrants and their children are vastly overrepresented. In the past, the United States benefited from high-skilled migrants through programs such as Operation Paperclip. We must repeat this success in an era where American leadership and security is increasingly being threatened by aggressive actors around the globe.
To enter the United States as a foreign national in most cases, you must obtain a visa. There are over one-hundred and eighty different visas that qualify a potential applicant. But there are only two broad categories: immigrant and non-immigrant [5]. The former enables one to enter the process for a green card, so he or she can become a Lawful Permanent Resident or LPR. The latter permits an individual to briefly enter the United States. Non-immigrant visas include such things as studying abroad, tourism, and temporary work. The former consists of four main aspects: reunification of families, economic contributions, permitting refugees to seek asylum, and diversity. A visa category allowing individuals from countries who are underrepresented in the United States to live and work. Legal immigration occurs through foreign nationals becoming an LPR, gaining a green card, and then eventually becoming citizens.
As part of the compromise to pass the legislation, the Immigration and Nationality Act includes various numerical caps across the migration system to bluntly address concerns regarding overwhelming local infrastructure and disruption to the labor force. Unfortunately, these have not been updated since 1965, despite the population nearly doubling and a much larger labor force and economy [7]. Currently, the annual limit on permanent legal migrants is 675,000: with 480,000 in the family-sponsored category, 140,000 employment-based, and 55,000 for diversity. Additionally, no more than seven percent of the family and employment legal migration pathways can come from the same nation [2]. In addition to the cap being relatively low, it distorts migration patterns. For example, immediate family members of U.S. citizens are exempt. Moreover, some individuals here on temporary visas can adjust their status to obtain a green card. This byzantine process, characterized by layers of exceptions, leads to numerous inefficiencies and outcomes that most policymakers would prefer to avoid. The complexity of this system often results in prolonged wait times and uncertainty for applicants, especially those from countries with large numbers of applicants, such as India and China. These individuals often find themselves in limbo for years, unable to plan their futures effectively or contribute fully to the economy. Furthermore, the seven percent cap disproportionately affects highly skilled individuals from populous countries, resulting in a brain drain in their home nations. By maintaining these outdated structures, we risk losing out on valuable talent that could drive innovation, create jobs, and enhance our global competitiveness. To remedy these issues, a reevaluation of the numerical caps and a more flexible system that responds to economic needs and labor shortages is imperative. This could include adjustments based on economic indicators or labor market demands, allowing the immigration system to be more dynamic and responsive.
While many believe the nation is hopelessly divided, Americans actually agree on many aspects of immigration policy. According to a 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center, seventy-nine percent of registered voters support increasing the number of high-skilled immigrants, underscoring a bipartisan consensus that drives the potential for legislative change [3]. While some favor overhauling our migration system, a more cautious approach would be more legislatively feasible. Some ideas for changes that could be part of a solution are laid out as follows.
One potential reform is the Heartland Visa. Endorsed by Governors Spencer Cox and Eric Holcomb of Utah and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, this policy aims to help revive the portions of America that have been left behind as the nation shifted toward a post-industrial service economy [4]. America’s skilled migrants tend to live in coastal metropolitan areas, where their skilled labor is in high demand. This visa would seek to revitalize regions and towns in America that have seen sluggish growth and population decline. While the specifics vary from proposal to proposal, all provide a place to live and work in regions of the country before allowing individuals the ability to establish permanent residence. By incentivizing skilled migrants to settle in these underserved areas, the Heartland Visa could address critical labor shortages in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, thereby supporting economic recovery and sustainability in rural and suburban communities. The program could be structured to offer not only the ability to live and work in these regions but also to create pathways for economic integration through support programs that connect immigrants with local businesses and communities. Such initiatives could include mentorship opportunities, language and cultural training, and resources for starting businesses. Programs for encouraging assimilation could assist communities in integrating migrants. Furthermore, by promoting the dispersal of skilled workers beyond traditional urban centers, the Heartland Visa would help mitigate the strain on housing and infrastructure in coastal cities, thereby fostering a more balanced economic landscape across the nation.
Another significant reform would involve removing the cap on H-1B visas. The H-1B visa allows companies to hire skilled foreign nationals temporarily, but only up to a cap of 85,000 workers each year [2]. Although this annual cap may seem substantial, this figure pales in comparison to the number of applicants. Moreover, foreign nationals currently working in the U.S. must reapply to stay, making the visa category artificially competitive each year. A potential solution could involve removing the cap altogether or shifting America’s immigration pathways toward being employment-based. This cap has resulted in numerous loopholes, as many apply to PhD programs in hopes of obtaining a student visa to stay longer, leading to economic distortions and instability for employers and themselves. A more moderate proposal would allow companies and organizations, such as universities, to qualify for cap-exempt H-1Bs in the regional hubs established by the CHIPS Act. This suggestion could greatly help these areas achieve their goals as designated by Congress.
Additionally, a points-based immigration system could greatly benefit the United States. In a points-based system, candidates are awarded points based on various qualifications, including education, English proficiency, work experience, and age. Younger candidates are preferred because they have more years to contribute to the workforce. Furthermore, recently educated candidates are more likely to start families if they decide to stay permanently. Notably, since the United States does not educate many of these skilled individuals, we do not bear the costs; thus, they become ‘profitable’ the moment they arrive. Implementing such a system would not only streamline the immigration process but also attract a diverse array of talent that meets the specific needs of various sectors within the economy. For example, industries facing labor shortages, such as technology, healthcare, and engineering, could benefit significantly from a tailored approach that prioritizes candidates with the skills and qualifications most in demand. This blunt approach results in too many candidates for categories not meant for the candidates applying. Additionally, a points-based system could help reduce the burden on current legal pathways by making the process more transparent and predictable, allowing applicants to better understand their chances of success. This system could also facilitate regional migration, encouraging skilled workers to settle in less populated areas or regions experiencing economic decline, thereby promoting balanced economic development across the country.
High-skilled immigrants are essential to the growth and sustainability of the U.S. economy. Our current immigration system, with its outdated caps and inefficiencies, fails to harness the full potential of these individuals. Reforming our immigration policies to attract high-skilled immigrants is crucial for enhancing our workforce, stimulating economic growth, and addressing regional disparities. These proposed reforms—the Heartland Visa, the removal of caps on H-1B visas, and the implementation of a points-based system—are critical for developing a more effective immigration strategy that can better respond to the evolving needs of the modern economy. Such changes would not only resonate with the American public’s stated desire for a fair and effective immigration system, but would ensure that the United States remains a beacon of opportunity and innovation in a rapidly changing global landscape. Ultimately, by embracing high-skilled immigration, we can cultivate a thriving economy that benefits all Americans and fortifies our position as a leader on the world stage.
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Works Cited
[1] Edmond, Charlotte. “Which Countries Do Migrants Want to Move To?” World Economic Forum, November 22, 2017. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/11/these-are-the-countries-migrants-want-to-move-to/.
[2] Kandel, William A. “U.S. Immigration Policy: Chart Book of Key Trends.” Congressional Research Service. Accessed November 13, 2024. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42866.
[3] Mukherjee, Sahana, and Jens Manuel Krogstad. “Trump and Harris Supporters Differ on Mass Deportations but Favor Border Security, High-Skilled Immigration.” Pew Research Center, September 27, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2024/09/27/trump-and-harris-supporters-differ-on-mass-deportations-but-favor-border-security-high-skilled-immigration/.
[4] Cox, Spencer, and Eric Holcomb. “States Can Lead on Immigration Reform.” The Washington Post, February 21, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/21/eric-holcomb-spencer-cox-states-immigration/.
[5] U.S Visas. U.S. Department of State. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-us-visa.html.
[6] U.S. Census Bureau. “Foreign-Born Population Data.” Population and Housing. https://www.census.gov/topics/population/foreign-born/data.html.
[7] U.S. Census Bureau. “Population Change Data Tables.” Census Data Tables. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/popchange-data-text.html.
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