A new bipartisan Senate bill has recently emerged, focusing on border and military aid, but unexpectedly includes provisions for additional family and employment-based green cards. This surprising provision aims to provide relief for the backlogs in the visa system. The bill also contains other measures, such as age-out protection for long-time visa holders and a pathway to permanent residence for Afghans who were paroled into the United States after escaping the Taliban takeover.
However, despite its potential benefits, there remains uncertainty regarding whether the bill will see the light of day in the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who opposes aid to Ukraine, has dismissed the bill as 'dead on arrival.' Additionally, some Republicans fear giving President Biden a political victory, which has further jeopardized the future of the bill.
