As an immigration lawyer, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles and challenges that skilled immigrants face while waiting for their green cards. The current backlogs and inefficiencies in the processing of employment-based green cards have left thousands of skilled immigrants in limbo, uncertain of their future in the United States. Today, I want to encourage those who are stuck in this situation to take action and make their voices heard by sending a letter to their appropriate congressperson in support of H.R. 1535, the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023.

The Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to preserve expiring employment-based visas and make them available for issuance during fiscal year 2024. This bill has the potential to significantly reduce the backlog of green card wait times, providing much-needed relief to skilled immigrants and their families who have been waiting for permanent residency for years, if not decades.

However, it is vital that our representatives in Congress understand the importance of this bill and the positive impact it can have on the lives of thousands of skilled immigrants. By sending a letter to your congressperson, you can help raise awareness of the issues surrounding the green card backlog and encourage them to co-sponsor and vote in favor of H.R. 1535.

In your letter, be sure to emphasize your personal experiences as a skilled immigrant, as well as the contributions you have made to the United States economy and society. Share the challenges you have faced while waiting for your green card and the uncertainty this has caused for you and your family. By telling your story, you can help humanize the issue and demonstrate the real-life consequences of the current green card backlog.

Additionally, your letter should address the need for reforms in the allocation of green cards, particularly the inclusion of family members in the annual worldwide level of employment-based preference immigrants. This issue has led to a significant reduction in the number of green cards available to skilled immigrants and has contributed to the lengthy wait times for permanent residency.

Lastly, urge your congressperson to act swiftly and decisively in support of H.R. 1535, emphasizing the importance of eliminating the green card backlog for the continued growth and success of the United States economy. By retaining top talent from around the world, the United States can maintain its position as a global leader in innovation and industry.

As skilled immigrants, your voices carry significant weight, and your advocacy can make a difference in the passage of H.R. 1535. I encourage each of you to take the time to draft and send a letter to your congressperson, urging them to support the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023.

Together, we can help bring about much-needed change for skilled immigrants and their families, ensuring a brighter future for all who have chosen to call the United States home.

Remember, your voice matters. Stand up for your future and make it count.

To find your local congressperson, visit the House of Representatives website (https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative) and enter your ZIP code. For your senators, visit the U.S. Senate website (https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm) and select your state from the drop-down menu. These websites provide contact information, including Washington, D.C. office addresses and phone numbers. Use this information to address your letter or email to the appropriate representative and senators, urging them to support H.R. 1535, the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP]

[Date]

The Honorable [Congressperson’s First and Last Name] [Address] Washington, D.C. [ZIP]

Subject: Urgent Action Needed on Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs – Support H.R. 1535, the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023

Dear [Congressperson’s Last Name],

I am writing to you as a constituent who has been residing in the United States, contributing to the economy, and following the law while waiting for a green card for a significant amount of time. I am deeply concerned about the current backlogs and inefficiencies in the processing of employment-based green cards, which have led to the waste of thousands of visas that could have been used by skilled immigrants like myself.

As a [Your Occupation], I have been working at [Your Company Name] for the past [Number of Years]. My job has allowed me to contribute to [Brief Description of Your Work Contributions]. My family, which includes [Names and Relationship of Family Members], has also made the United States our home. Our children, [Names of Children], have been attending school at [Name of School] and are thriving academically and socially.

I would like to express my support for H.R. 1535, the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023, which aims to preserve expiring employment-based visas and make them available for issuance during fiscal year 2024. This bill has the potential to reduce the backlog of green card wait times by many years, providing much-needed relief to thousands of skilled immigrants who have been waiting for permanent residency.

As a law-abiding, tax-paying resident of your district, I respectfully request that you co-sponsor and vote in favor of H.R. 1535 to help eliminate the backlogs affecting thousands of skilled immigrants like me who are waiting for their green cards. I also urge you to address the underlying issues causing these backlogs and inefficiencies, such as the inclusion of family members in the annual worldwide level of employment-based preference immigrants.

The passage of H.R. 1535 will not only benefit skilled immigrants like myself but also contribute to the growth and success of the United States economy by retaining top talent from around the world. By supporting this bill, you will be making a significant positive impact on the lives of countless skilled immigrants and their families.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

 By:Rahul Reddy 

Rahul Reddy is the founding partner of Reddy & Neumann PC. He founded our firm in 1997 and has over 23 years practicing employment-based immigration. Rahul‘s vast knowledge of the complex immigration system renders him an invaluable resource and an expert in the field. His personal experience with the immigration system has made him empathetic to each of his client’s cases and empowers him to help others achieve the American Dream.

Rahul‘s dedication to serving the immigrant community is evident, from his daily free conference calls to his weekly immigration Q&As on Facebook and YouTube Live. He is an active member of the immigrant community and is one of the founders of ITServe Alliance. He has been a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1995.