WASHINGTON-The Senate is working to pass sweeping immigration reform legislation that would increased high-tech visa limits aggressively lobbied for by the powerful telecom and high-tech lobbies, but opposed by organized labor.
“For the United States to maintain its stature as the global leader in math, science, engineering and technology innovation, we must make sure our young people have the skills to compete in this competitive global economy. At the same time, it is critical that our nation be able to recruit and retain the world’s best and brightest,” said Lezlee Westine, president TechNet, a top lobbying group.
The H-1B visa issue has been as tricky for policymakers as it has been for telecom and tech companies hungry for skilled workers, but acutely cognizant of sensitivities associated with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. While homeland security has been the hallmark of the Bush administration, there are growing indications U.S. high-tech leadership and competitiveness generally is eroding and being threatened from abroad.
The Bush administration and Congress have responded by calling for legislation to improve math and science education and thereby churn out more American engineers and scientists. Yet telecom and high-tech companies, while supportive of congressional legislation and White House proposals to strengthen U.S. competitiveness, need more software and radio engineers now.
“Our current and future economic growth is dependent on our remaining the world’s innovator. That requires education, job-training, and immigration policies that advance our economic and competitive strength,” said Westine.
One argument to increase the cap on H-1B visas from 65,000 to 115,00 annually is that doing so might tamp down the outsourcing of U.S. jobs and the offshoring of American manufacturing. Those trends are evolving into mainstream, hot-button issues for elected officials in the United States.
Outsourcing and offshoring are huge challenges for unions, too. That is why the Communications Workers of America is not keen on seeing more high-tech visas.
Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates is credited with helping convince lawmakers to include high-tech visa relief in the Senate immigration bill.
The CWA is backing a different approach embodied in legislation sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.). His bill would reform the existing program by adding reporting requirements for companies that hire foreign workers with H1-B visas.
The Telecommunications Industry Association, which represents wireless and other telecom manufacturers, joined nine other tech groups in urging President Bush to allow more high-skilled workers to enter the country.
