CRISIS ALERT -- the Cantwell Amemedment

Date: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:57 PM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1705 -- 6/05/2007 >>>>>

I apologize for so many newsletters lately, but there is a new crisis brewing
in the Senate. If you are short of time please read this one first.

Several Senators want to add an amendment to the Comprehensive Immigration
Bill. The amendment, "S.Amdt. 1249" was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-
WA] and a few other familiar names such as Cornyn (R-TX), Leahy (D-VT), and
Hatch (R-UT).

You can view the text of the bill at this link, but it's difficult reading
since it references the CIR, which is changing on a daily basis.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=110&amdt=s1249

There are two things we know about the Cantwell bill that are very scary:

1) Increases H-1B Visas -- The CIR raises the H-1B cap from 65,000 to 180,000
a year. Presently 20,000 exemptions are allowed for foreign students with
advanced degrees so the cap is really 85,000. S1249 eliminates the 20,000
limit and would make it unlimited -- and here is the real gotcha -- exemptions
would be given for degrees that were earned outside the United States!
Hellllllllo paper mills!

Here is what the amendment says:

B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``, until the number of aliens
who are exempted from such numerical limitation during such year
exceeds 20,000.'' and inserting ``; or''; and

"(D) has earned a master's or higher degree in science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics from an institution of higher education
outside of the United States."

When you think about the fact that U.S. universities are one of the largest
supporters of H-1B increases, this is really odd. Either they don't know about
the Cantwell amendment or they are suicidal!

2) Increases Employment Based Green Cards -- The amendment adds 140,000 to the
cap for green cards that was already increased in the CIR but that's not all -
- it gives so many exemptions the limit is almost meaningless.
Check out this vague exemption and just imagine how broad its scope could
potentially be:

to qualified immigrants who are members of the professions
holding advanced degrees or their equivalent or who because
of their exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or
business, will substantially benefit prospectively the
national economy, cultural or educational interests, or
welfare of the United States, and whose services in the
sciences, arts, professions, or business are sought by an
employer in the United States.

I included two alerts below. I urge you to read them and to take action.
The Cantwell amendment is a disaster!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 14:04:17 -0500 (CDT)
Reply-To: Federation for American Immigration Reform

URGENT ACTION ALERT
June 5, 2007

CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW AND ASK THEM TO OPPOSE CANTWELL AMENDMENT #1249!!!

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have offered an
amendment to the Bush-Kennedy bill to satisfy the corporate thirst for foreign
high-tech workers. In its current form, the Bush-Kennedy bill replaces the
existing family-based and employment-based green card system with a merit-
based system. Under the merit-based system an alien's green card application
will be evaluated and assigned points for various skills and education level.
Applicants with the most points will be first in line for receiving green
cards. However, despite the fact that other countries such as Canada and
Australia have a merit-based system for granting permanent residence, big
business doesn't like it because the employers are no longer able to control
who comes into the country by sponsoring an alien's green card application.

Right now huge corporations are working behind the scenes to restore their
control of which aliens are given green cards and are lobbying Senators hard
to support the Cantwell Amendment (#1249). In fact, Roll Call reports that
"many of the business groups, which on Monday sent a letter outlining their
position to key Senators, say their support for the immigration bill hinges on
the Cantwell-Cornyn amendment."

The Cantwell-Cornyn Amendment will not delete the merit-based system, but will
add another 140,000 green cards that employers may annually sponsor.
The Cantwell-Cornyn amendment would also allow highly-skilled H-1B workers to
pursue a dual path toward permanent residency and citizenship and would allow
foreigners who have work experience, in lieu of advanced degrees, to qualify
for the H-1B visas.

FAIR is urging members and activists to call their Senators TODAY and urge
them to oppose the Cantwell-Cornyn Amendment (#1249)!!! The amendment adds
another 140,000 green cards to an already over-burdened system only for the
purpose of pleasing huge corporations as they race to import foreign workers
who will depress wages and displace American workers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.noslaves.com/CantwellAmendment.pdf

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF
PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL ENGINEERS
AFL-CIO & CLC
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-565-9016 FAX 301-565-0018 www.ifpte.org

June 5, 2007

Dear Senator,
As President of the International Federation of Professional & Technical
Engineers (IFPTE), AFL-CIO, I am writing regarding your consideration of S.
1348, the comprehensive immigration reform bill. IFPTE would like to express
our strong opposition to an amendment expected to be offered by Senators Maria
Cantwell (D, WA) and John Cornyn (R, TX). It is IFPTE s understanding that the
Cantwell/Cornyn amendment would essentially do away with the H-1B visa cap all
together, along with eliminating the limited oversight that currently exists
in the current H-1B program.

This legislation is problematic in several different ways. First, it calls for
a 20% escalator in the yearly numbers of H-1B visas, resulting in a cap
increase to 180,000 annually from its current annual allotment of 65,000.
IFPTE is opposed to any increase in the H-1B cap, including the 50,000 H-1B
visa increase called for in the underlying bill. To make matters worse, the
amendment will forever exempt from the H-1B cap all recipients of Masters
Degrees and above from U.S. Universities. In other words, the amendment will
render any cap on the H-1B program meaningless.

The amendment is also expected to wipe out the modest H-1B policy reforms
included in the base bill. For example, the Cantwell/Cornyn legislation calls
for eliminating the requirement that ALL employers of H-1Bs be governed by the
very same reporting and transparency rules that apply to H-1B dependant
employers. While the H-1B dependant language in the underlying bill is far
from a comprehensive fix to the program, is certainly is a step in the right
direction and should not be eliminated.

Lastly, the Cantwell amendment is expected to include an additional call for
140,000 Green Card recipients in highly technical fields. This is, of course,
in addition to the busting of the H-1B cap that I described above.

Needless to say, IFPTE is particularly dismayed that one of the primary
sponsors of this legislation is a lawmaker from Washington, the very State
where SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, and the majority of the Local s 22,000 plus
members reside. This amendment will not only hurt the Boeing employed members
represented by SPEEA, IFPTE Local 2001, it will most certainly lead to the
displacement of thousands upon thousands of current and potential American
high-tech workers. As such, we at IFPTE are opposed to the Cantwell/Cornyn
amendment in its entirety and ask that you vote against it when it comes
before the full Senate later this week.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to your reply. Should you
have any questions, please feel free to contact me, or IFPTE Legislative
Director Matt Biggs, at (301) 565-9016.

Sincerely,
Gregory J. Junemann, President

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