Immigrant-worker visas could double if new bill passes...

Immigrant-worker visas could double if new bill passes


By Ken Alltucker
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix), March 19, 2008

A bill introduced last week by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords would double the number of H-1B visas that allow immigrants to legally work in the United States.

The Tucson Democrat's bill, known as the Innovation Employment Act, calls for increasing the limit of H-1B visas from 65,000 a year to 130,000 a year. The bill also would eliminate a 20,000-a-year cap on visas for foreign graduate or doctoral-program graduates who study science, technology, engineering or math.

Another bill submitted by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, would expand the annual visa limit even further to 195,000 for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

A Giffords representative said expanding the number of visas for high-tech companies is critical to ensure Arizona and other states are competitive in a global economy that rewards science and math skills.

'In order to stay competitive and keep the momentum going in Arizona, we need to make sure that the talent is here. It is just the type of people we want here to drive and grow our economy,' said C.J. Karamargin, a Giffords spokesman.

Karamargin said Giffords introduced the bill after hearing from Arizona tech leaders about the need for a more robust immigrant-worker visa program that brings talented employees to the United States.

The program is used by high-tech companies and universities alike, with the University of Arizona counting more than 300 H-1B visa holders.

Science Foundation Arizona President Bill Harris said a shortage of engineers and technical workers is one of the most challenging hurdles Arizona faces as it seeks to build a knowledge-based economy.

Harris said he would strongly support Giffords' bill because it seeks to expand the nation's pool of technical workers, but, he added, the long-term solution rests with the nation's education system.

'It points to the need to more effectively prepare our own students,' Harris said.

H-1B visas have drawn fire from some domestic tech workers who say some employers abuse the program and use it to access cheap labor.




http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/
articles/0319biz-visas0319.html