In other words – how many ways can terrorists enter the US under the protection of a Visa?
About 185 different types of immigration exist in two main categories of U.S. visas:
(a) Non-immigrant visa – temporary visits such as for tourism, business, work or studying.
(b) Immigrant visas – people to immigrate to the United States.
Here is the link to all the different typs of visas.
Here are some explanations of a few of the 11 different Temporary Worker Visa categories:
O Visa: Short-term work visas are available to certain people doing specialized work, including the O visa for outstanding workers in the sciences, arts, athletics, education, or business. But how often are the Visas checked for return to another country or possibly renewed? And does this prevent American citizens from being employed or is this another way to import cheaper labor in high paying salary levels? Oh, and did I mention there is no limitation on the numer of this type of Visa issued?
EB-5 Visa: “Permanent residency” (green card) is given to those “foreign (non-US investors) who promise to invest in businesses or land development that stimulate employment to make a business or land development investment of at least $500,000 in blighted areas and $1,000,000 in other areas….as well as “Plan” to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers. Nothing about if the plans fall through… There are a total of 10,000 EB-5 Visas allowed each year to be issued or renewed.
H-1B Visa: H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations for up to six years. Obtaining an H-1B visa, which is allocated through a lottery system, has become increasingly hard in the past few years. The Department of Homeland Security currently caps the amount of H-1B visas granted at 65,000 per fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees. Last year, DHS received an overwhelming 233,000 H-1B petitions in as little as a week; only a little over one-third of petitioners received one of the sought-after visas.
B-1 Visa:
- consult with business associates
- attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- settle an estate
- negotiate a contract.
P-1 – P-2 or P-3 Visas: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group. To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group. Requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance. Includes persons providing essential services in support of the above individual.
Q-1 Visa: Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program. For practical training and employment and for sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of your home country through participation in an international cultural exchange program.