H.R. 6429: 

STEM Jobs Act of 2012

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Lamar Smith [R-TX21] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Split

H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012, would cancel the visa lottery program and transfer the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year.

H.R. 704: 

SAFE for America Act

Published: 

Sponsored by:  Rep. Bob Goodlatte [R-VA6] in the 112th congress

NumbersUSA's Position:  

Support

H.R. 704, SAFE for America Act, would eliminate the visa lottery. The visa lottery gives out 50,000 green cards each year, and it does not take into account humanitarian need, family connections, or potential contribution to the United States.