H.R. 3648 would raise the cap on the percentage of family-sponsored immigrant visas that may go to citizens of any particular country in a fiscal year from 7 percent to 15 percent and, after a nine-year transition period, would eliminate the similar cap on employment-based immigrant visas. The bill would allow beneficiaries of employment-based petitions for immigrant visas who are living in the United States to apply to adjust status to lawful permanent resident even if an immigrant visa is not immediately available. The bill also would make changes to the H-1B nonimmigrant worker program, directing the Department of Labor to collect fees from employers seeking to hire H-1B workers and to spend those collections on the administration and enforcement of the H-1B nonimmigrant program without further appropriation.
