Businesses, families have a lot riding on immigration change

The proposal would shift the way the nation awards green cards from a heavy preference on applicants with family ties -- a system adopted in 1965 -- to those with advanced skills, college degrees and English-speaking ability.

To Warren, that kind of change is urgently needed to keep the nation and high-tech firms like his globally competitive. For three years, he said, his Axiom Microdevices Inc. has unsuccessfully scoured the U.S. labor market for an experienced field engineer with a niche expertise in semiconductors for cell phone systems. The firm finally found a perfect candidate in France -- but can't bring him here because of limits on skilled-labor visas.

"Bringing the best and the brightest to this country rather than choose those based on blood is the right thing to do," said Warren, the firm's chief financial officer. "These people are educated. They'll pay taxes. They'll help U.S. high-tech companies compete globally. Let's bring them here rather than Joe Taxi Driver's uncle."

But Jaldon is appalled at the potential change. A native of the Philippines, her family has greatly benefited from the U.S. immigration system's priority on family reunification. In turn, she says, her assorted relatives have helped the nation by offering professional expertise in medical technology, chemistry and engineering, by paying taxes and by aiding each other without welfare or other public assistance.

First, Jaldon's eldest daughter immigrated to the United States as a medical technician more than a decade ago. Then daughter sponsored mother; Jaldon got her green card in just six months. Now Jaldon is petitioning to bring over her 27-year-old son, a film animator, and a 53-year-old daughter, a nurse.

The Senate's proposed change would disrupt those family chains, however, by severely limiting which relatives could be admitted. Under the proposal, Jaldon's daughter would no longer be eligible for a family visa because her application was submitted after the cut-off date of May 2005.

"I worry about my children," Jaldon said. "I want all of them to be here."