Earlier this month, Compete America issued a letter to the USCIS challenging the way the agency is handling H-1b petitions in a manner that is negatively impacting STEM jobs, U.S. graduates, and U.S. employers and the practical effect is to promote off-shoring and the outsourcing of U.S. jobs overseas. Read the full letter here.
Tag: STEM
Canada has eyes set on H-1b and L-1b workers
Our friends to the north have been observing our current immigration system and have noted that the US policy and practice at present is to refuse work visas to high tech workers (STEM grads), entrepreneurs, and specialized workers from international companies and have decided that they may be able to take advantage of our ineptitude. I… Continue reading Canada has eyes set on H-1b and L-1b workers
Can President Obama Deliver ?
A few weeks ago, President Obama promised to use Executive Action to bring about immigration reform when it became clear that Congress was not going to act but, can he deliver on that promise ? The first question is whether he is committed to any reform that would impact legal immigration and the simple answer is, not… Continue reading Can President Obama Deliver ?
Senator Sessions holds anti-H-1b meeting
Senator Sessions (R-Ala) a long-time and outspoken opponent of the H-1b visa and any increase in the H-1b quota or an increase in legal immigration, hosted a policy discussion last week to denounce any increase in the H-1b cap. The premise of the discussion was that there were plenty of unemployed US workers with STEM… Continue reading Senator Sessions holds anti-H-1b meeting
Senators Schumer and Coons announce new STEM bill
On September 19th, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Chris Coons (D-DE) plan to introduce a new bill before the Senate. The so-called “BRAINS Act” would create a two-year pilot program that would allocate an additional 55,000 green cards each year for foreign-born graduates who have a master’s degree or higher from an American university in… Continue reading Senators Schumer and Coons announce new STEM bill
New Immigration Bills May Provide Greater Opportunities for STEM Graduates to Obtain Green Cards
During this past month, members of the U.S. Senate have introduced a number of bills that would allow STEM graduates to more easily receive green cards once they are employed in a relevant field. On May 15, 2012, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) presented Securing the Talent America Requires for the 21st Century (“STAR Act”). This… Continue reading New Immigration Bills May Provide Greater Opportunities for STEM Graduates to Obtain Green Cards
STEM list expanded
Recently, the DHS updated and expanded the STEM list . Inclusion on the STEM list allows a 17 month extension of one’s OPT if you are employed by an eVerify employer.
More support for pro-business immigration policies
Recently, the Harvard Business Review published an article discussing the battle to retain US educated international STEM grads and the need for improved US immigration policies to enhance US businesses trying to retain this talent as opposed to the current climate, where US immigration policy often forces STEM graduates to offer their talents overseas.
DHS announces plans impacting highly skilled immigrants
As part of President Obama’s public claims to foster legal immigration and encourage entrepreneurship, the DHS announced several planned reforms to achieve these goals without the need for legislative action. We applaud the goals of the administration and these planned reforms and just hope that the culture of no which so permeates the agency at the service… Continue reading DHS announces plans impacting highly skilled immigrants
Good news for retrogression :) kinda :(
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3012, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act by an overwhelming vote of 389-15. This bill would change the way employment-based (EB) green cards are allocated by eliminating the per country quotas. If the bill becomes law, it will equalize the waiting times for employment based permanent… Continue reading Good news for retrogression 🙂 kinda 🙁
November Visa Bulletin Released !
This week, the DOS released the November Visa Bulletin and the dates jumped once again for EB2 India and Chinese nationals but, remained painstakingly slow for all others. The National Foundation for American Policy recently released a study in which it calculated that the wait in the EB3 category had reached 70 years for Indian… Continue reading November Visa Bulletin Released !