Immigration And Naturalization Act: Immigration To The United States

Currently, the Immigration and Naturalization Act prescribes a limit of 675,000 permanent immigrants to be allowed into the United States yearly. There are some exceptions for close family members. Permanent residents are eligible to apply for jobs and work in the U.S.
Immigration to the United States is based on family reunification, skilled immigrants who can help the economy, and refugees. Limits are placed on how many immigrants who can come from one particular country. Also, the Diversity Visa program allows 55,000 visas to be given to nationals of selected countries.
With Immigration reform the first step is to reduce the number of illegal immigrants that enter the U.S. each year. There are differences of opinion on re-opening the guest
worker program of the past that would allow workers to come during harvest season to help farmers and then return to their country. In my opinion, I think this should be revisited and renewed. Undocumented immigrants that have been working in our country for years, contributing and raising families with children who are U.S. citizens, should be allowed to stay with a path to citizenship as long as they are not guilty of any serious crime. Immigrants also have a positive impact on our economy and contribute to cultural diversity.