Experts: Immigration overhaul could remove edge for families

April 14, 2008 - 4:35PM

BY BRIAN INDRELUNAS/CRONKITE NEWS SERVICE

For years, immigration law in the United States has given an edge to families.
Those who can show that they have family members in this country make up the biggest percentage of those who are given permanent-resident status.

But if immigration laws ever get a serious overhaul - something that Congress hasn't been able to do for years - the advantage for families divided by borders could be diminished, experts say.

In recent months, policy makers and public officials have talked seriously about scrapping the long-standing system that gives green cards, or permanent-resident status, primarily to immigrants who show they have close relatives in the United States or employers who want to sponsor them. They suggest a new system that would award points to foreigners who speak English, are educated and have certain job skills.

A bill that would have ushered in just such a system stalled in the U.S. Senate last summer, but those on both sides of the immigration issue say the debate is far from over.