The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

As Immigration Reform known as S744 is being debated, I wanted to tell something about undocumented immigrants. Public must know why there are so many undocumented people currently living in the U.S. I hope someone reads this.

When it comes to immigration, every story is different. Some people come to America to create new business, some people come to seek an asylum, some people come to have a family, and some people come to America just to look for a better life. One needs to have a visa in order to be able to lawfully enter the United States. There are two types of visas available - an immigrant visa, such as: Immediate Relative and Family Sponsored, Employment Based, and Special Immigrant visa and a non-immigrant visa, such as a student visa or a visitor’s visa. If the intention is to stay in America indefinitely, one must opt for an immigrant visa.

What if there are no relatives who are already living in the U.S.? What if one does not qualify as a special immigrant? How does someone, who does not fall under the criteria listed below, obtain the visa?

According to USCIS, people who want to become immigrants based on employment or a job offer may apply for permanent residence or an immigrant visa abroad, when an immigrant visa number becomes available according to the following employment based preferences:

• First Preference: Priority Workers, including aliens with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers

• Second Preference: Members of professions holding an advanced degree or persons of exceptional ability (including individuals seeking a National Interest Waiver)

• Third Preference: Skilled Workers, professionals and other qualified workers

• Fourth Preference: Certain special immigrants including those in religious vocations

• Fifth Preference: Employment creation immigrants (investors or entrepreneurs).

According to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, there is a long backlog for visas in the “other workers” category, such as an unskilled workers visa. Thus, many people risk their freedom; they risk losing their fundamental rights and safety just to come to America.

America is a nation of immigrants, how can we keep millions of immigrants in the shadows for so long?

The current immigration system is broken and the time is now to do something about it.

Eliza Andronova

Atlanta, GA