Ever since The United States of America arose as a powerful and successful country, many people from around the world have been trying to obtain a Green Card. Being a permanent resident in the US allows people to reside and work in the US, to apply for in-state tuition for college, to obtain a credit line and so on. Due to these advantages many potential immigrants wish to become legal permanent residents and consequentially become valuable members of the American society.
What if the USCIS, Senate and U.S. Government reached an agreement to offer a Green Card in exchange of a payment fee in the amount of $100,000? Would you be willing to pay this fee? Even though this idea could be out of reality, it is for sure a proposal that would interest millions of people.
In 2007 immigrants (undocumented and documented) reached a record number of around 37,900,000 people, and this number continues increasing every year. Overall, nearly one in three immigrants is an undocumented alien which leads us to another question. What if these immigrants would have the opportunity to obtain their Permanent Residency by paying this fee? The result would be an extraordinary economic growth for the public treasury. However, this proposal not only would increase the growth of the U.S. economy, it would increase tax revenues by adding these new workers.
Furthermore, the advantages of accepting immigrants who pay this fee would be tremendous. The country would have people who are willing to work hard and the Government would benefit from the increased tax revenues.
Further, if being defined as a "highly-skilled" worker is something that could allow an immigrant to apply for residency, wouldn't the payment of an entrance tax deliver the same margin of safety? Why not let anyone who pays a $100,000 fee toward the retirement of the US public debt -provided that background checks are completed- get their green card? It would be a simple process without requiring applicants to prove that their skills are "special" and "needed".
On the other hand, waiting times for siblings of US Citizens to get Green Cards stretch back to applications filed in 2000, for nationals of most countries. The waiting time for married sons and daughters of US Citizens to get Green Cards stretches back to applications filed in 2001 for nationals of most countries. So, why not give them the option to pay this fee and provide an alternative to end this outrageous wait?
Most immigrants (documented or not) who are in the country are productive, pay taxes, and contribute to the growth of the U.S. economy. Immigrants make the American society and businesses stronger. For those who contribute to our society, why not make the process of getting the Green Card easier and more reachable?
