The Hidden Immigration Bill
Brian Wingfield, 05.29.07, 12:00 PM ET

http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/05/ ... slate.html

WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The new immigration bill, now being fiercely debated in the Senate, would nearly double the amount of highly skilled immigrants who can work in the U.S.--specialists ranging from software engineers and scientists to translators.

So why are the tech industry and other concerned groups so hopping mad about the proposed legislation?

A key reason: Many people believe the bill under consideration still doesn't provide enough H-1B visas, which allow highly skilled foreigners to work in the U.S. for up to six years, during which time they can apply for a permanent residency permit, or green card.

"H-1B professionals fill key niches in the U.S. labor market and enhance the ability of U.S. companies to compete globally for talent and markets," reports the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), a think tank here that specializes in immigration, economic and education issues.

The group says that Congress for years has lagged in authorizing enough H-1B visas, "causing [companies] to go without needed skilled professionals or being forced to hire individuals outside the U.S. or risk losing them to foreign competitors. Without sufficient H-1B visas, outstanding international students and researchers and engineers from abroad cannot work in the U.S.," the report concludes.

The problem, however, is that no one seems to be able to say with much precision just how many such visas are needed.

"It’s almost impossible to pick a number,â€