Thread: Watch for new bills in Senate to increase H-1B

Techies Take Labor Message To Lawmakers At Home
By Heather Greenfield
National Journal
Aug. 17, 2007

Small and medium-sized technology companies have been meeting with
members of Congress in their home districts this week to emphasize that they
need more visas for highly skilled workers this year -- or more companies will
move jobs to other countries.

AeA chief Bill Archey, whose tech association helped arrange visits
with members of Congress in seven districts, said the group is having small
and medium-sized companies do the talking because the shortage of H-1Bs
disproportionately affects them. Archey said a visa delay is a serious
problem when a small business is depending on them for one of its 30 jobs.
"Members of Congress know what the big guys think," Archey said. But
he said appeals from smaller companies in their own districts are likely to
carry more weight.

Archey said he hopes the visits help clear up any misunderstanding
that American scientists and engineers are available and companies want the
visas so they can pay foreign workers less. He said the message from
companies will be, "You're forcing us to go offshore not because of the
cheapness of the labor but because the labor has the right skills."
A measure in the immigration bill that stalled in the Senate this
summer would have nearly doubled the 65,000 H-1B visas currently available
each fiscal year to businesses. But several tech lobbyists speaking on
background said a comprehensive bill is unlikely this year after the Senate
failed to win enough votes to limit debate.

"The issue is not dead for us and is affecting our companies
significantly," AeA lobbyist John Palafoutas said. "It can't wait for two
years."

So far there is not a stand-alone bill in Congress to boost the number
of H-1B visas. An aide for Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said he may introduce
one in September.

During a late-night session last month, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas,
tried to amend an education bill, H.R. 2669, to increase H-1B visas, but
his amendment was rebuffed on a procedural vote.

Oregon Republican Gordon Smith, who chairs the Senate Republican
High-Tech Task Force, said in a statement that more H-1Bs is still a top
priority and task force members will look for other opportunities to move
the proposal.

The issue also is a top priority for the Business Roundtable and U.S.
Chamber of Commerce. They sent a letter to senators this month that notes
how they helped lobby for measures to increase the mathematics, science and
engineering skills of American workers. President Bush signed legislation
this month to authorize funds to improve math and science education.
The letter said that while the impact of that takes effect, however,
more visas are needed to address the current skilled-worker shortages.

"These shortages and inefficient processes often force some of our members
to move certain operations to other countries so that they are able to
recruit the workers they need," the groups stated.

"These shortages and inefficient processes often force some of our members to move certain operations to other countries so that they are able to recruit the workers they need," the groups stated.

Guess high tariffs need to be put on those goods produced out of country to inspire high tech business to hire from Americans.

Originally Posted by avenger

"These shortages and inefficient processes often force some of our members to move certain operations to other countries so that they are able to recruit the workers they need," the groups stated.

Guess high tariffs need to be put on those goods produced out of country to inspire high tech business to hire from Americans.

Uhhhhh!!!!! I hate the H1-B programs and the companies that claim they can't get Americans to fill these jobs!!!!!

It is my opinion that, at the least, no increase in H1Bs or L1s be granted UNTIL... ALL overstayers, absconders, and ALL fraud be rooted out and rectified FIRST. Some even advocate a complete cessation of the granting of ALL work permit visas until the problems are properly addressed.

Remember: approx. 40% of all persons in the US illegally entered initially under legal pretenses (student visa, tourist visa, .... worker visa).