This policy brief proposes a temporary-to-permanent, employment-based visa to help the U.S. meet both short-term and longer-term labor needs, which are likely to intensify in the future. The authors describe the shortcomings of the current immigration system, last adjusted in 1990 and primarily accessible to workers with college degrees. The authors then explain how the “bridge visa” would work, how it would fit within the current employment-based immigration system, and how it would protect American workers. The visa would be available to workers at all education and skill levels, and would expire after three years. The visa may be renewed for an additional three years, and subsequently the worker could self-sponsor for a permanent immigration visa. Those who choose not to renew after three or six years could leave the country and re-apply in the future if they wished. The visa would replace many of the current temporary non-seasonal work visas, as well as most migration coming through the employment-based green card system. Most permanent visas would be awarded to workers transitioning from the bridge visa. The authors describe a number of methods to protect U.S. workers under their proposal, including having a cap that adjusts up or down depending on U.S. labor needs as determined by an independent commission. In the end, a bridge visa as described by the authors would make the immigration system responsive to U.S. needs, unlike the current system. (Maurice Belanger, Maurice Belanger Associates)
A New Way Forward for Employment-Based Immigration: The Bridge Visa
Migration Policy Institute, February 2024, 22 pp.
Authors: Julia Gelatt & Muzaffar Chishti