US Chamber of Commerce optimistic about H-1B increase

Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:40 AM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1747 -- 8/29/2007 >>>>>

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that H-1B legislation to increase
the H-1B cap will pass in the Fall of 2007. Their optimism is premised on
getting H-1B legislation that is separate from other immigration bills. Based
on what the Chamber is saying don't be surprised if a new bill to increase the
H-1B cap emerges in Congress soon.

Earlier this year the H-1B increase failed to pass because it was appended to
the much larger Comprehensive Immigration Bill. Opposition to the CIR was
fierce because a broad coalition of groups objected to its many provisions
such as amnesty. Efforts at increasing H-1B failed because the CIR sunk.

The Chamber of Commerce probably feels that separating an H-1B increase into a
smaller bill will split the opposition. Their thinking may be right on target
because the immigration reform movement is far from united on the H-1B issue -
- most reformists focus on illegal immigration, not H-1B. A divide and conquer
strategy may work, especially since opposition to H-1B is one of the weakest
links in the immigration reform movement.

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http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/immigration/entries/2007/08/28/us_chamber_hopes_dim_on_immigr.html

U.S. Chamber: hopes dim on immigration bill, but H-1B visas look good By
Eunice Moscoso | Tuesday, August 28, 2007, 04:18 PM

Randel Johnson, vice president for labor, immigration, and employee benefits
at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told reporters Tuesday that hopes for a broad
immigration bill are dim.

The chamber is supporting a measure by Sen. Arlen Specter (pictured), R-Pa.,
which is similar to a White House-backed immigration package that failed in
the Senate earlier this year.

The Specter bill includes border security measures and a guest worker program
and would not allow illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

Johnson said the question is whether "the left" would support a measure
without a citizenship provision.

He also said the Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that separate legislation
to increase the yearly cap on H-1B visas for highly educated workers would
pass in the Fall.

The number of H-1B visas allowed by law has fluctuated in recent years in
response to the U.S. economy and the highs and lows of the technology industry
and is now set by Congress at 65,000. In addition, 20,000 more foreign
citizens with advanced degrees from American universities are allowed to stay
in work in the United States.

Critic say that the H-1B program depresses wages for American workers and has
many flaws including limited enforcement mechanisms.

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