Relief for Illegal Immigrants in USA

March 31st: 2007: In a measure that could provide relief to millions of illegal immigrants of various nationalities including about 300,000 Indians, US has introduced t5o visa, also known as Z visa. This visa, initially for a period of 3 years could be renewed indefinitely with each renewal cost of US$5.

This Z visa provides limited relief in a way that hitherto, illegal workers were most exploited lot as without valid visa either they were not able to get any work or they would get paid measly wages. However, these immigrants, to get green card would still have to return to their home country to reenter legally in US and pay US$ 10,000 as fine. Most of the illegal immigrants are from neighboring Mexico despite large number of patrol agents and hundred of kilometers of barbed fence. Immigrants from Indians and Chinese form another major composition of illegal immigrants.

In a way this move is seen as more conservative move then the earlier one where illegal immigrants were allowed to stay, work and apply to become legal residents in US after learning English, paying fines and back taxes and clearing a background check. As against now, only parents children and siblings of US citizens are allowed.

In the report released by Pew Hispanic Centre, it is declared that rate of legal immigrants from India has risen sharply from 565 to 65% in previous decade time since 1995. Most immigrants are settled in California, New York, Texas and Florida. This move would help Immigrant residents with better level of English skills.