On September 22, 2011, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act was
introduced by Rep. Chaffetz (R-UT). The bill, if passed would remove the
employment-based per-country cap by Fiscal Year 2015 and raise the
family-sponsored per-country cap from 7% to 15%. The bill was passed on
November 29, 2011, and shifted to the Senate for further consideration.
However, in late November, Senator Grassley (R-IA) objected to the bill,
claiming that it might unfavorably impact the opportunities for
American citizens to find high-skilled employment. Because of Grassley’s
objection, the bill remains on hold. Grassley did propose amendments to
the bill, but the amendments would have drastically changed the meaning
and effect of the bill and they were objected to. The bill remains in
limbo; it does not appear it will pass the two houses this calendar
year.
