With each passing day, hopes for the comprehensive immigration bill being passed get dimmer. The promises of a path to citizenship and raising the cap on visas are long gone and no serious talks have been scheduled after the House introduced their principles and left the bill alone. However, there is an estimated new wave of immigration that may be coming which may press Congress to have to reevaluate our nation’s immigration policies.
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The Senate passed a promising immigration bill last summer that had everyone’s hopes up regarding changing immigration policies. It has been 10 months now since there was a change or discussion about the original bill and other effort shave been ignored. Despite blatant bipartisanship splitting Congress and making it difficult to reach a compromise, there has been a growing consensus that the economies in Latin American and the U.S. are changing and may spur another round of immigrants racing north.
According to a report released by the Inter-American Development Bank, the future of Latin American economies does not have a positive outlook. The Chinese economy has slowed and could decrease commodity prices worldwide and with rising rates in the U.S., more immigrants from Latin American countries will be forced to avoid poverty by coming to the U.S. The President of the Migration Policy Institute predicts, "There will be more pressure for immigrants – both legal and illegal – to come to the United States.”
Due to the recent recession, unauthorized immigration was severely reduced, however, border activity, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has also increased over the past three years. Despite disagreements between party lines, the U.S. will be gaining more than the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently residing here. By passing legislation where lawmakers can meet each other halfway, they can at least help fill the labor gaps in the U.S. market. This may mean that the dismal state of the previous immigration bill may not have all been for nothing.
If you or someone you know has questions about gaining legal status, now is the time to consult a licensed immigration attorney. For inquiries regarding changing immigration laws in Missouri or help gaining legal status or a visa, contact us at 314-961-8200 or visit our contact page.
