Us immigration wonks have to keep in mind that most Americans don’t think about immigration from one year’s end to the next, because they don’t have to. Consequently they know next to nothing about it.

I’ve had a couple of emails from readers who, though obviously thoughtful and intelligent, seem to think that right now there are just two kinds of people legally resident in the USA: Green Card holders, and citizens. They believe the President’s “temporary worker” plan will add a third category, and they regard this as an interesting and innovative idea.

Where does one start? Perhaps by pointing out that the number of ways to be legally in the USA, by visa category, is currently 79. That’s right, 79. Here they all are.

Notice that at least 20 of them are “temporary worker” visas of one sort or another.

So we’re going to go from 79 visa categories to 80? And this is a huge deal, requiring a prime-time presidential speech? Sheesh.