Tech companies have called on the Biden administration to protect young employment-based immigrants who risk losing their U.S. immigration status because of delays in processing their permanent residency.
In a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday, tech companies joined with industry and lawyer association to urge him “to establish more robust aging out policies” that would allow young people to stay in the U.S. while applications for permanent residency are considered.
In its response to the request, the agency said it was reviewing all policies aimed at maximizing the issuance of permanent permits (Green Cards), “to ensure documented Dreamers are able to gain residency in the United States before they turn 21.”
According to the law, young foreigners must leave the country in spite of their parents’ work visas if the application for their own visa is not processed by this birthday.
The pandemic has led to delays in processing, increasing the number of cases in which young foreigners are not granted visas. The issue is urgent, as record-low unemployment in the U.S. worries businesses about losing potential employees.