Grads preferred to grandmas in proposed U.S. immigration bill [View all]

[Live and Learn]

Mon May 6, 2013 6:59am EDT

* Bill sets up point system for skills, education, jobs
* Asians likely to benefit, Latin America seen losing out
* Some say visa shortage could encourage illegal immigrants

By Rachelle Younglai

WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. immigration authorities would give preference to better-educated and trained visa-seekers who can contribute to the American economy under a less-noticed provision of the immigration bill in the U.S. Congress.

The bi-partisan bill in the U.S. Senate would rewrite the half-century-old standards that control legal immigration to favor skills over family ties.

The winners of this proposed "merit-based" system, experts say, would be primarily from Asia, particularly from India, China and the Philippines, whose citizens are more likely to have attended college or have on-the-job training in skilled occupations such as engineering and technology. The losers are likely to be Mexicans and Central Americans.

The new system, long advocated by economists and politicians who believe the main purpose of immigration laws should be to serve economic growth, would replace one geared mainly to reuniting families.

More > http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/06/usa-congress-visas-idUSL2N0DL0IX20130506?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologySector&rpc=43