Federation for American Immigration Reform Action Alert

Washington Politicians Representing Special Interests
Instead of the American People!
Call Your Representatives Now!

Not one week after Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates testified in Congress, various sources are reporting that House leaders intend to bring up legislation that would increase high-skilled foreign worker visas. H.R. 5630, sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), would increase the annual cap for high-tech H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000 starting this year, and up to 180,000 by the year 2010. This legislation also makes it easier for foreign students who are graduates in high-tech fields to enter or stay in the U.S. and compete with U.S. graduates.(Congress Now, March 18, 200

This latest move only further illustrates how Congress is willing to bend over backwards to oblige special interests—interests determined to ensure that any enforcement legislation, such as the SAVE Act (H.R.408, does not pass Congress unless it has goodies for them. While the influence these special interests has over Congress is appalling, the move to increase the number of foreign guest workers is particularly disturbing given the fact the Labor Department announced not one week ago that the U.S. economy had lost 63,000 jobs and yesterday the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in an effort to stabilize the economy.

But the push to import more high-tech foreign workers isn't the only scheme politicians are devising behind closed doors. Just three weeks ago, House Leadership began negotiating legislation promoted by Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, that would grant 5-year amnesty visas to the 12-20 million illegal aliens currently in the country. And not two weeks ago, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) began efforts to bring legislation to the House floor that would allow employers to import more unskilled H-2B guest workers. Now, Capitol Hill newspapers are reporting that House Leadership—eager to address immigration in a "comprehensive" manner—is considering a package that would contain all of these elements.

FAIR is urging all members, activists, and friends to call their Representatives and tell them they are sent to Washington to represent YOU, not special interests. Tell them you demand enforcement-only immigration legislation such as the SAVE Act (H.R.408, and will not tolerate attempts to add on legislation that will allow self-serving, greedy corporations to import more guest workers who compete with U.S. workers and drive down wages!!!!

Congress is in recess for two weeks and many members are in their home districts. Now is the time to call and fight the efforts of special interests to hijack true immigration reform legislation!!!