New Immigration law proposals
Kyle Huffman • November 9, 2023
Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District has recently introduced five new immigration-related bills to Congress, in an effort to make progress on solving the United States immigration issues, particularly in regard to border crossings at the U.S. Southern Border. Let’s take a closer look at these bills and the benefits that they can provide, if passed into law:
1. The Strengthening our Workforce Act
The first bill proposed by Representative Vasquez aims to provide support for a few key industries of the United States economy. Specifically, this bill seeks to provide a legal pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. This bill will create the opportunity for migrants in “critical industries” – healthcare, education, and law enforcement, to apply for a two-year temporary provisional status, to continue working in their chosen profession of critical importance. Following the two-year probationary period, these individuals would then be eligible to apply for adjustment of status to permanent residents.
2. The Stop Coyotes’ Oppression and Organized Trafficking, and Ensure the Safety Act
This bill, quite simply, aims to increase the penalties for the criminals responsible for human trafficking, particularly for trafficking minors. The bill, if passed, would add an additional penalty of up to 10 years beyond for individuals found guilty of human smuggling as well as crimes of violence against children while trafficking.
3. The Smart Border Protection Act
This bill is seeking additional funding for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. The funds would be primarily distributed for two purposes: hiring more agents and improving border infrastructure. The hiring of additional personnel has clear implications for CBP’s efficiency and effectiveness. The increase to border infrastructure involves the purchase of scanning equipment to increase the ability to detect illicit substances from being smuggled into the United States through ports of entry. According to Representative Vasquez, this scanning equipment has greater than a 90% success rate.
4. The Humane Accountability Act
This bill, if passed, would do a great deal to help ensure safety and justice for asylum seekers. It would require each of the agencies working with asylum seekers, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), to create reports to congress about the state and condition of migrant detention centers. This bill would be a big step in the right direction to ensuring that every migrant seeking the protection of the United States has the opportunity to navigate the U.S. immigration system from a place of dignity and respect.
5. The Farm Workforce Support Act
The last of the five bills introduced by Representative Vasquez aims to support the United States’ agricultural industry, which has been facing a labor shortage for the past several years. If passed, this bill would allow temporary work visas and labor protections for agricultural workers.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
Choosing the right recommenders is one of the most critical steps in building a successful O-1 visa petition. The standard for this visa is a high one, you must not only be an accomplished professional within your field but among the very top cadre of your peers. Reference letters serve as the connective tissue of an O-1 petition, transforming a dry list of accolades into a compelling narrative of extraordinary achievement. While awards and press clippings prove that you did something, reference letters provide the expert testimony necessary to explain why it mattered. In the eyes of USCIS, these letters function as evidence that contextualize your work within the broader industry, offering a level of nuance and credibility beyond the objective facts of your career journey. Without them, an adjudicating officer is left to interpret complex professional milestones in a vacuum; with them, you have a panel of qualified experts certifying that you are not just competent, but extraordinary and indispensable to your field. In short, they are the "voice" of your petition, validating your status as an individual of extraordinary ability. If you are beginning the process of identifying your recommenders, here are four essential qualities you should look for in a contact. 1. High Public Visibility In the eyes of USCIS, the status of the recommender often reflects the status of the applicant. USCIS officers will scrutinize every aspect of your petition, and this includes researching your references. If a recommender is someone who is easily recognizable due to an extensive public profile, especially due to their accomplishments, it makes it easier to verify that their opinion of you as a candidate should be given more weight and taken seriously. Look for individuals who have a "public profile." This could mean: They are frequently quoted in major media outlets. They have a significant social media following or industry-wide recognition. They have won major awards (Oscars, Grammys, Pulitzers, etc.) or hold prestigious titles. Their name is synonymous with success in your specific niche. When an officer sees a letterhead from a globally recognized entity or a signature from a famous figure, it immediately sets the tone that you are a candidate worth evaluating, and the words they have written on your behalf will weigh strongly on the officer’s decision. 2. Significant Accomplishment in the Field Your recommender should be an "expert" in their own right, whatever that means for your particular field. USCIS needs to know that the person praising you is actually qualified to evaluate your talent and knows the difference between someone who is merely accomplished in the field versus someone who has reached the pinnacle of their profession. Ideally, your contact should be more senior or more accomplished than you are. They should have a track record of success that is beyond reproach. However, they don't necessarily have to be in your exact job title. They can be in a related field, provided they are in a position to judge your work. For example, if you are a VFX Artist, a famous Film Director or a Senior Producer would be highly qualified to evaluate your contributions to a production. 3. A Deep Professional or Personal Connection One of the most common mistakes O-1 applicants make is chasing "big names" who don't actually know them. A generic letter from a celebrity who has never met you will likely be dismissed as "boilerplate." The strongest letters come from people who can speak to your work with specificity because they have worked directly with you in a professional context. You should look for contacts who know you through: An extensive personal history: Someone who has mentored you or followed your career trajectory for years, who can thus attest to your professional growth and elite trajectory over time. Direct collaboration: Someone who has worked alongside you in a professional context, and has witnessed your impact as a professional first hand because they were also directly invested in whatever project or goal you were working towards. This can also include peers you competed against, if you are an athlete. Your reference letters should describe specific instances where your skills and accomplishments shined through, or where you and your reference worked together towards meeting some goal. This level of detail comes naturally when your reference truly knows you as a professional because of a deep familiarity with your work or direct experience with you as a professional. 4. A Willingness to Advocate Zealously This is perhaps the most underrated quality in a recommender. You do not want a contact who is only willing to "confirm the facts." A letter that simply affirms facts and offers a standard affirmation of your skills and accomplishments will not convey to the officer that you are truly extraordinary. You should seek recommenders who are willing to be effusive. They should be prepared to use strong language—words like indispensable, unparalleled, world-class, and pioneer. This is a visa for exceptionally accomplished professionals, and for your references to be effective their words must convey to the officer that you are truly extraordinary. If a contact is hesitant to provide a glowing, high-energy recommendation, they may not be the right choice for this specific legal process. Final Thoughts The O-1 visa is a high bar, and your reference letters are the pillars that hold up your petition. By seeking the right qualities in your references, you can ensure that you will receive strong and impactful letters that will in turn help to maximize your chances of receiving an O-1 visa. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, we pride ourselves on assisting our talented clients in every aspect of the O-1 visa process. If you are an exceptionally talented individual considering applying for an O-1 visa, please contact us today and we will be happy to guide you towards a successful outcome.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has concluded the annual H-1B cap lottery for Fiscal Year 2027, with employers and legal representatives now able to check selection outcomes through their registration portals.
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