Mike Crapo acknowledges that he and Orrin Hatch colluded together on the 2000 ACWIA bill. He claims that he understands "your concerns" but he obviously doesn't. 

Name Withheld
Meridian, Idaho

Dear (name withheld),

Thank you for contacting me regarding H-1 B nonimmigrant worker visas. I appreciate knowing of your concerns and welcome the opportunity to respond.

I understand your concerns about the need to avoid allowing foreign workers to take jobs away from qualified Idahoans. Congress has taken steps to ensure that Americans are not displaced by foreign workers. Every individual living in the U.S. on an H-1 B visa who has been accepted by an employer, and the potential employer must go through a certification process. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) advise individuals who feel that an employer is not in compliance with H-1 B visa employee regulations to contact the Idaho Department of Labor to discuss claims and to file a formal complaint. 

As you know, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced S. 2045, the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act in the 106^th Congress. This legislation increased the availability of nonimmigrant H-1 B specialty occupation visas. I supported S. 2045, which passed the Senate by a vote of 96-1. At the time, the shortage of qualified workers that existed in certain industries, particularly in the high-tech field, necessitated increasing the cap on H-1 B visas. S. 2045 was signed by President Clinton on October 17, 2000. 

In the 107'" Congress, legislation dealing with H- 1B B visas has been offered. On September 10, 2001, Representative Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) introduced H.R. 2809, which would have increased the total number of nonimmigrant visas that may be issued to nurses under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in each fiscal year. Representative Thomas Tancredo (R-Colorado) introduced H.R. 3222 on November 1, 2001. H.R. 3222 would have limited the number of fiscal year H-1 B visas, with a reduction in such number based upon specified U.S. unemployment rates. In the Senate, S. 1342 was introduced on August 2, 2001, by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota). S. 1342 would have allocated H-1 B visas for demonstration projects in rural America and is pending in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. None of these measures were debated by Congress prior to its adjournment. It is unknown whether similar legislation will be introduced in the 108 ^th Congress. 

The terrorist attacks of and after September 11, 2001, and the recent economic downturn and increased unemployment have made U.S. immigration policies a top priority in Congress. Rest assured, I will work with my colleagues to bring about the necessary reform of our nation's immigration system that will ensure American workers are protected and not adversely impacted, while, at the same time, will protect Idaho's economy and our national security. 

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact me in the future on matters of interest to you. 

Sincerely, 

MDC/td