Thread: U.S. Chamber of Commerce promoting H-1B increase

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1747 -- 8/29/2007 >>>>>

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that H-1B legislation to
increase the H-1B cap will pass in the Fall of 2007. Their optimism is
premised on getting H-1B legislation that is separate from other
immigration bills. Based on what the Chamber is saying don't be surprised
if a new bill to increase the H-1B cap emerges in Congress soon.

Earlier this year the H-1B increase failed to pass because it was amended
to the much larger Comprehensive Immigration Bill. Opposition to the CIR
was fierce because a broad coalition of groups objected to its many
provisions such as amnesty. Efforts at increasing H-1B failed because the
CIR sunk.

The Chamber of Commerce probably feels that separating an H-1B increase
into a smaller bill will split the opposition. Their thinking may be right
on target because the immigration reform movement is far from united on the
H-1B issue -- most reformists focus on illegal immigration, not H-1B. A
divide and conquer strategy may work, especially since opposition to H-1B
is one of the weakest links in the immigration reform movement.

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http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/ ... igration/e
ntries/2007/08/28/us_chamber_hopes_dim_on_immigr.html


U.S. Chamber: hopes dim on immigration bill, but H-1B visas look good
By Eunice Moscoso | Tuesday, August 28, 2007, 04:18 PM

Randel Johnson, vice president for labor, immigration, and employee
benefits at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told reporters Tuesday that hopes
for a broad immigration bill are dim.

The chamber is supporting a measure by Sen. Arlen Specter (pictured),
R-Pa., which is similar to a White House-backed immigration package that
failed in the Senate earlier this year.

The Specter bill includes border security measures and a guest worker
program and would not allow illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

Johnson said the question is whether "the left" would support a measure
without a citizenship provision.

He also said the Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that separate
legislation to increase the yearly cap on H-1B visas for highly educated
workers would pass in the Fall.

The number of H-1B visas allowed by law has fluctuated in recent years in
response to the U.S. economy and the highs and lows of the technology
industry and is now set by Congress at 65,000. In addition, 20,000 more
foreign citizens with advanced degrees from American universities are
allowed to stay in work in the United States.

Critic say that the H-1B program depresses wages for American workers and
has many flaws including limited enforcement mechanisms.


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Newsletter Homepage:
http://www.JobDestruction.com/shameh1b/ ... onNews.htm

NO H-1Bs PERIOD!!!

Rob also reports that this ad is about to run and I'm exited. [view it here]

http://www.reformus.org/

Back during the last threat of an H-1B increase by the lame duck congress, Washtech ran this print ad (I'm a member):

http://washtech.org/images/news/story/ROLLCALLAd.pdf

Powerful, powerful imagery.