There are people in the farthest corners of the planet who dream of moving to the United States, settling down and living the American dream. There are numerous people in Mercer County who have done just that -- moved to New Jersey, gotten a job and gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.
Most of these people came to New Jersey because they either had family members here with whom they were reuniting, or they were offered jobs in the area. But there are others who moved here because of sheer luck; they came because of the United States' committment to diversity and fairness. They came through the Green Card Lottery program.
Started in the 1990s, the Green Card Lottery program provided individuals with a high school diploma or some work experience, individuals who otherwise would not have been able to come to the U.S., a chance to immigrate. Each year approximately 50,000 visas are awarded to individuals who are drawn at random. And the program has been quite successful for many.
Unfortunately, as the Congress discusses immigration reform, they are many who are interested in increasing the number of visas available to highly skilled immigrants. This makes sense; there is a great need for more people with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but there are some who want to eliminate the Lottery in order to create the visas. As it stands, the current immigration reform bill would do away with the program completely.
It remains to be seen whether Congress will amend the bill and save the program.
Source: Voice of America, "US Green Card Lottery Faces Elimination," Brian Padden, May 16, 2013
