This is the first in a series of monthly newsletters that will focus on ACIP Agency Liaison activities and updates. We are excited to launch this series, and believe it will be a worthwhile read for our members.  The series will allow members to learn more about ACIP’s activities and communications with the agencies as well as find out more about the various federal agencies’ initiatives and programs. 

Here in Washington DC this fall, we have seen a lot of activity in Congress responding to ACIP’s decades-long calls to streamline the green card process and provide more visas to U.S. STEM foreign graduates. In fact, the recent burst of activity began with an October House Immigration Subcommittee hearing which addressed the issue of whether America should retain these highly-educated foreign students.  Shortly after the hearing, the President’s Job Council issued a report, which on page 35, calls on Congress to enact legislation to retain highly-educated foreign student graduates.  In recent weeks we have seen members of the House introduce legislation to both streamline the green card process and retain foreign students graduating with U.S. STEM advanced degrees.  

While Washington remains laser focused on the debt debate and President Obama’s recently introduced American Jobs Act of 2011, Congress has been hard at work on issues that could potentially impact ACIP members, including the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2885), the Fairness for Skilled Immigrants Act, and the continuing resolution (CR).  Contained in the full Director's Update are a number of key actions that recently took place on these issues in recent weeks.  Additionally, as the debt debate continues, ACIP will be tracking any legislative activity that could always unfold around additional visa fees.