Tech companies seek to increase cap on visas for foreign-born skilled workers

[pinboy3niner]

Tech companies seek to increase cap on visas for foreign-born skilled workers
by John Yantis - Aug. 1, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic


<snip>
Specialty-jobs visas are often used by U.S. tech firms to hire foreign-born engineers and other workers with specific skills. But the number of visas issued annually is much too small, industry leaders say. The companies worry that as business picks up, they will be forced to turn away prime talent that could boost their company's research and development and performance.

Efforts to raise a 65,000-person annual cap on H-1B employment visas for foreign nationals and a parallel push to get them green cards swiftly are being overshadowed by a political debate that has nothing to do with ensuring cutting-edge companies can hire the best talent for specialty jobs, advocates say.

"We've been beating the drum hard on this issue for a long time, and lawmakers understand the argument," said Peter Cleveland, Intel Corp. vice president for global public policy. "Part of the problem is the general population has a view about immigrants, and we're trying to educate and explain the enormous value these highly trained immigrants provide."

According to the American Association of Engineering Societies, for the 2008-2009 academic year, foreign nationals comprised 43.9 percent of the master's and 54.6 percent of the Ph.D.s awarded in engineering by U.S. universities.


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/08/01/20100801biz-tech-companies-seek-increase-cap-visas-foreign-born-skilled-workers-0801.html#ixzz0vLWOzYeI

Posted without comment. I'm not very familiar with these special visa programs, but perhaps other members are. This article has a lot of information for anyone who, like me, is curious about the more obscure aspects of immigration issues. I'd particulary like to hear from labor activists on the issue.

[fasttense]

1. Yeah, just what America needs more workers who can't find jobs.

With one job for every 5 unemployed persons, we want to import more labor. There is a serious disconnect here.

"foreign nationals comprised 43.9 percent of the master's and 54.6 percent of the Ph.D.s awarded in engineering by U.S. universities."

Average American citizens can't afford to attend American colleges, that's why there are so many openings for foreign nationals. (Most colleges and Universities in America limit the number of openings for foreign nationals, but those openings have been increasing ever since Raygun started charging tuition for all California colleges)

In most foreign countries, college tuition is free, so these foreign citizens get their bachelors and spend their money on masters and Ph.D.s.

And all American citizens get are crappy high school educations that prepare them for nothing in the job market and barely educate them for college.

[endless october]

2. i disagree that our education system sucks.

i applied myself and got a great education in public school. it carried me through college and graduate studies.

as for H1B, i have no problem with those who dream of coming here to be a part of our country. however, i do not support allowing corporations to fuck anyone on compensation. so if they want to bring in outside labor, they should be required to pay them whatever it would cost to hire an American.

let's be honest : they aren't bringing people in just because they have skills that Americans don't. they bring people in mostly because they will work for less money.

[RagAss]

3. "we're trying to educate and explain"....Scumbags !

Hiring cheap labor while stealing Americans pensions...we're "educated" enough you pieces of shit.

[Old Dweezle]

4. H1N is not just for Techies

I remember reading an article last year in the AFL/CIO Now Blog about Indian Welders at the Allied Signal Shipbuilding plant crying that the employer housed them in barracks type housing, and they were not receiving permanent resident status that they were supposedly promised.
These slaves spent all they had and many put their families in debt to pay their INDIAN recruiter fees (I understand the fees were $30k).
:nopity:

I was really angry that the AFL/CIO was crying about the employment situation of SCABS.
Like there are no welders looking for work, the shortage was welders willing to work for minimum wages.

I believe the shipyard was in the Southern US, Alabama or Mississippi.