In the wake of the debate over immigration reform, there’s been much debate about programs for diversity. Certain reform plans call for an increase in visas to graduates who have advanced degrees in engineering and science however, at the cost of ending this diversity visa programme. What do you think of the program for diversity?
The concept behind this program is to provide visas to those from regions of the globe where only a handful of individuals have made the move in America. United States. There are currently 50,000 visas available annually. If a country has brought at least 50,000 immigrants into the United States in the last five years, then people born in these countries might not be eligible for the diversity visa. According to data bullseye this rule the countries that are not eligible include Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and The Peoples Republic of China, El Salvador, Haiti and South Korea. The only country that’s in North America where natives are qualified to get Diversity visas can be found in the Bahamas.
Diversity visas can be allocated according to region, and those regions that had the least migrants to the United States in the previous five years getting the highest number of visas. The regions currently receiving the highest number of visas under the diversity visa program is Africa as well as Europe. There is no country that can get more than 7 percent, or 3,500, of visas that are available in the year. Visas are distributed randomly.
To apply, one participates in the lottery on the internet during the registration period. While winning the lottery, it is not a guarantee that an applicant will be granted a visa. The applicant must meet additional conditions. The applicant must be a graduate of from high school or been employed for two of the last five years working in an occupation that requires more than two years of knowledge or training.
It is not necessary to meet the requirements for eligibility to apply online. This has resulted in several dissatisfied lottery winners. In other words, someone wins the lottery, only to find out that they do not have the knowledge or qualifications to qualify for the visa.
The lottery for diversity is in operation since 1995. Many critics have said that it’s inherently unfair since there are thousands of foreigners within the United States on temporary work visas who must wait for years for an immigration visa to be granted and diversity visa winners are granted permanent residency only on the basis of chance. The critics also have argued that the system is vulnerable to fraud, and by using the lottery, terrorists could get into the nation.
The House of Representatives has voted to remove this program of diversity visas in the year 2005. But, the legislation was not passed by the Senate. In September of 2012 another bill was approved in the House that would have ended this diversity visa programme to boost the amount of immigration visas granted to graduates who hold advanced degrees in engineering and science. The bill passed with the support of a majority, once it was put on the suspension calendar. It required a two-thirds vote for passage.