June 16, 2005
The McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill Explained
The secure America
and Orderly Immigration Act ,a bill developed by Senators John McCain and Edward Kennedy and others, aims to secure our borders
and make our country safer by strictly enforcing immigration laws. This approach includes a coordinated and up-to-date enforcement
at our borders, as well as the so-called "Essential Worker Visa Program" with a new category called "H-5A."
This new category is for alien workers who will perform jobs otherwise not covered in the existing visa categories. It
is a temporary visa that allows foreign workers to perform a job for initially three years, with a possible extension after
that period. Spouses and children will be able to follow the principal applicant.
As in other visa programs, the H-5A category may lead to a "green card" or permanent residence. Read a detailed explanation
by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
