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Committed to improving green card backlog: White House

The H-1B visa program enables U.S. companies to hire foreign workers for specialized occupations.

The White House spokesperson was addressing concerns raised by some Indian Americans. /

President Joe Biden and his administration is committed to addressing challenges in the H-1B visa process and reducing the backlog for green card applicants, the White House said.

"One of the steps, if we look at the H-1B visa process, we have taken action to improve that and the process and backlog for lawful permanent residents (green card) who are eligible to become US citizens," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing. 

She was addressing concerns that President Biden may be prioritizing efforts to address issues faced by illegal immigrants over those encountered by legal immigrants, including challenges related to the H-1B visa process and green card backlog.

The concerns come after a recent Cato Institute study revealed that only 3 percent of green card applicants are expected to obtain permanent residence in the fiscal year 2024. The study found that the backlog currently stands at approximately 34.7 million applications; underscoring the magnitude of the issue.

"Just last month, for example, as a part of our efforts to strengthen the integrity of our immigration system and reduce the potential for fraud, the DHS published a final rule relating to H-1B visa," Jean-Pierre said assuring that strengthening legal immigration has also been a priority.

"We will continue our work to improve the system within our authorities and that has certainly been a priority," she said, emphasizing that the administration is taking these concerns "very seriously" and remains committed to making improvements to the visa process.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced myUSCIS organizational accounts, enabling multiple individuals within an organization, along with their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare various documents, including H-1B registrations, H-1B petitions, and any associated Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.

The USCIS has stated that a new organizational account is necessary for participation in the H-1B Electronic Registration Process, which is set to commence in March 2024. "We are working expeditiously to address any technical issues that may arise for legal representatives whose accounts migrated when they logged into their online account on or after February 14, 2024, including impacts on cases other than H-1B filings," the agency said in a statement.
 

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