From my archive of press clippings:
Business Week
Still Wanted: Foreign Talent-and Visas
December 10, 2009, 5:00PM EST
By Moira Herbst
Even as job losses in the U.S. mount, employers have stepped up the hiring of skilled workers from abroad, according to data from the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The acceleration in recent weeks has put companies close to exhausting the 65,000 visas allotted each year for foreign hires under what's known as the H-1B program. Some 61,500 visas had been used as of Dec. 8, and the last visas are likely to be claimed within weeks. Once that happens, companies won't be able to use the program to bring in additional workers until October, the start of the government's fiscal year.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The H-1B program allows employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas for up to three years, with the possibility of extending for additional years."
&
"Of the top 200 recipients in 2009, American businesses accounted for 49% of the visas, up from 43% in 2008. Microsoft (MSFT) was No. 2 on the list with 1,318 approvals, while Intel (INTC) ranked No. 3 with 723. The chip giant says it's using the visas to recruit for high-skill posts in software and component design."
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek.
Showing posts with label H-1B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H-1B. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
CW - Many H-1B workers get temporary jobs, study finds. Offshore firms seek permanent residency for few H-1Bs; U.S. firms have mixed plans.
From my archive of press clippings:
Computer World
Many H-1B workers get temporary jobs, study finds
Offshore firms seek permanent residency for few H-1Bs; U.S. firms have mixed plans
By Patrick Thibodeau
February 22, 2010 05:45 AM ET
Computerworld - Many employers sponsor H-1B holders to have them fill temporary posts, not to become full-time residents of the U.S., according to a study released last week by the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit think tank.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s)"
"The differences in the ways companies use H-1B visas can be stark, according to the study, which was authored by Ron Hira, an associate professor of public policy at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a longtime critic of the H-1B visa program. (Download a PDF of study here.) "
&
"The study examines company-by-company data and then separates it into H-1B and L-1 visa categories. An examination of the study finds that even if L-1 visa data is excluded, the pattern of visa use appears to remain the same."
_____
Follow Patrick on Twitter at @DCgov, send e-mail to pthibodeau@computerworld.com or subscribe to Patrick's RSS feed .
Computer World
Many H-1B workers get temporary jobs, study finds
Offshore firms seek permanent residency for few H-1Bs; U.S. firms have mixed plans
By Patrick Thibodeau
February 22, 2010 05:45 AM ET
Computerworld - Many employers sponsor H-1B holders to have them fill temporary posts, not to become full-time residents of the U.S., according to a study released last week by the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington-based nonprofit think tank.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s)"
"The differences in the ways companies use H-1B visas can be stark, according to the study, which was authored by Ron Hira, an associate professor of public policy at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a longtime critic of the H-1B visa program. (Download a PDF of study here.) "
&
"The study examines company-by-company data and then separates it into H-1B and L-1 visa categories. An examination of the study finds that even if L-1 visa data is excluded, the pattern of visa use appears to remain the same."
_____
Follow Patrick on Twitter at @DCgov, send e-mail to pthibodeau@computerworld.com or subscribe to Patrick's RSS feed .
Sunday, February 21, 2010
ITP - Demand for US H-1B visas on the rise
From my archive of press clippings:
ITP
Demand for US H-1B visas on the rise
Applications for H-1B visas increased rapidly since October, indicating growing demand for skilled foreign staff from US companies
By Mark Sutton Published December 3, 2009
Demand for US H-1B visas has grown dramatically in the past month and a half, according to a report on Computerworld.com.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service showed a spike in applications, after a quiet summer, indicating that US companies are again looking for foreign workers to fill skilled positions."
"The demand spike may also be down to companies switching existing foreign temporary workers on L-1B visas to the more stable H-1B visa, and demand for visas for students who have recently graduated with technical qualifications."
"The H-1B visa allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, and has been widely used by the IT and technology sectors to secure skilled employees."
&
"The system is controversial however, with opponents saying that jobs should go to American citizens first. There is currently legislation proposed to the US Senate which would prevent any company that has already laid off 50 or more workers from hiring guest workers, which could potentially affect a large number of technology firms that have laid off large numbers of workers but continue hiring to fill other roles."
ITP
Demand for US H-1B visas on the rise
Applications for H-1B visas increased rapidly since October, indicating growing demand for skilled foreign staff from US companies
By Mark Sutton Published December 3, 2009
Demand for US H-1B visas has grown dramatically in the past month and a half, according to a report on Computerworld.com.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service showed a spike in applications, after a quiet summer, indicating that US companies are again looking for foreign workers to fill skilled positions."
"The demand spike may also be down to companies switching existing foreign temporary workers on L-1B visas to the more stable H-1B visa, and demand for visas for students who have recently graduated with technical qualifications."
"The H-1B visa allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, and has been widely used by the IT and technology sectors to secure skilled employees."
&
"The system is controversial however, with opponents saying that jobs should go to American citizens first. There is currently legislation proposed to the US Senate which would prevent any company that has already laid off 50 or more workers from hiring guest workers, which could potentially affect a large number of technology firms that have laid off large numbers of workers but continue hiring to fill other roles."
Monday, January 4, 2010
SI - U.S. bill aims to make it tough to hire foreigners
From my archive of press clippings:
Silicon India
U.S. bill aims to make it tough to hire foreigners
By IANS
Sunday,26 April 2009, 20:13 hrs
Washington: Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill to make it tougher for American firms to employ foreign professionals under its H-1B and L1 visa programmes utilised the most by Indians and the Chinese.
Snippet(s):
"Indian professionals followed by those from China account for the maximum number of H-1Bs visa designed to bring highly skilled professionals here. L1 B visas are for skilled workers."
&
"Despite an extension of date twice, only 44,000 H-1B visa applications have been received against the existing cap of 65,000."
Silicon India
U.S. bill aims to make it tough to hire foreigners
By IANS
Sunday,26 April 2009, 20:13 hrs
Washington: Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill to make it tougher for American firms to employ foreign professionals under its H-1B and L1 visa programmes utilised the most by Indians and the Chinese.
Snippet(s):
"Indian professionals followed by those from China account for the maximum number of H-1Bs visa designed to bring highly skilled professionals here. L1 B visas are for skilled workers."
&
"Despite an extension of date twice, only 44,000 H-1B visa applications have been received against the existing cap of 65,000."
Friday, January 1, 2010
BW - H1B Visa Law: Trying Again
From my archive of press clippings:
Business Week
H1B Visa Law: Trying Again
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
"The new bill calls for the Labor Dept. to conduct random audits of at least 1% of companies using the H-1B program, and would require the agency to conduct annual audits of companies with more than 100 employees that have 15% or more of those workers on H-1B visas. The bill also authorizes 200 additional Labor Dept. employees to administer, oversee, investigate, and enforce guest worker programs such as H-1B. The bill would also require that employers advertise a job opening for 30 days on a Labor Dept. Web site before seeking a visa for such a position. It would also forbid employers from advertising a job as available only for H-1B visa holders."
&
"The bill also includes a number of changes to the L-1 visa program, which is used for intracompany transfers of employees for up to seven years. It would establish for the first time a process for Labor Dept. officials to investigate, audit, and penalize L-1 visa abuses."
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Business Week
H1B Visa Law: Trying Again
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
Snippet(s):
"The bill would not reduce the number of H-1B visas—now 85,000 per year—but contains provisions to increase oversight and enforcement and discourage outsourcing of H-1B visa holders. It also requires all employers seeking to hire an H-1B visa holder to pledge that they have made a "good faith" effort to hire American workers first, and that the H-1B visa holder will not displace an American worker. Under current law, only heavy users of the program must make such a pledge."
"Microsoft came under fire in January when it announced it would lay off 5,000 workers while continuing to seek H-1B visas. On the company's first-quarter earnings call on Apr. 23, Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell said the company wants to add 2,000 to 3,000 new jobs in "higher growth" areas over the next 18 months. He said Microsoft's overall applications for H-1B visas are down about 20% and new-hire visas down 40% from last year."
"The introduction of the bill comes as concern has spread about the H-1B program's susceptibility to fraud. In October, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services released a report stating that 13% of H-1B visa applications are fraudulent and another 7% contain some form of technical violations."
(page 2 of 2)"The new bill calls for the Labor Dept. to conduct random audits of at least 1% of companies using the H-1B program, and would require the agency to conduct annual audits of companies with more than 100 employees that have 15% or more of those workers on H-1B visas. The bill also authorizes 200 additional Labor Dept. employees to administer, oversee, investigate, and enforce guest worker programs such as H-1B. The bill would also require that employers advertise a job opening for 30 days on a Labor Dept. Web site before seeking a visa for such a position. It would also forbid employers from advertising a job as available only for H-1B visa holders."
&
"The bill also includes a number of changes to the L-1 visa program, which is used for intracompany transfers of employees for up to seven years. It would establish for the first time a process for Labor Dept. officials to investigate, audit, and penalize L-1 visa abuses."
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
BW - H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again. Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa.
From my archive of press clippings:
Business Week
H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Business Week
H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
PBN - Hawaii demand falls for H-1B visas. Even with jobless rate up, some Hawaii firms still seeking foreign expertise.
From my archive of press clippings:
Pacific Business News
Hawaii demand falls for H-1B visas. Even with jobless rate up, some Hawaii firms still seeking foreign expertise.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - by Linda Chiem Pacific Business News
Hawaii employers are seeking out fewer foreign workers with the recession cooling demand for the once highly prized H-1B temporary work visa.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"With layoffs and cutbacks across all industries, the flood of work-visa applications last seen in 2006 has slowed dramatically, in Hawaii and across the Mainland.
Hawaii employers filed 627 H-1B applications in fiscal 2008, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification.
It is a 15 percent decrease from the 737 applications filed in Hawaii in 2007 and half of the 1,253 applications filed in 2006, which was considered a record year."
Pacific Business News
Hawaii demand falls for H-1B visas. Even with jobless rate up, some Hawaii firms still seeking foreign expertise.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - by Linda Chiem Pacific Business News
Hawaii employers are seeking out fewer foreign workers with the recession cooling demand for the once highly prized H-1B temporary work visa.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"With layoffs and cutbacks across all industries, the flood of work-visa applications last seen in 2006 has slowed dramatically, in Hawaii and across the Mainland.
Hawaii employers filed 627 H-1B applications in fiscal 2008, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification.
It is a 15 percent decrease from the 737 applications filed in Hawaii in 2007 and half of the 1,253 applications filed in 2006, which was considered a record year."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
WIBW - Trio Charged With Visa Fraud
From my archive of press clippings:
WIBW.COM
Trio Charged With Visa Fraud
Updated: 9:13 PM Jul 1, 2009
Posted: 9:07 PM Jul 1, 2009
Reporter: 13 News
Topeka (WIBW) - A Topeka couple is accused of working with a Colorado man to fraudulently get documents to stay in the U.S.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"An indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Mahesh Gangineni and his wife, Komali Donavalli, of Topeka along with Sankar Chava of Littleton, Colorado with conspiracy to fraudulantly obtain an H-1B visa."
WIBW.COM
Trio Charged With Visa Fraud
Updated: 9:13 PM Jul 1, 2009
Posted: 9:07 PM Jul 1, 2009
Reporter: 13 News
Topeka (WIBW) - A Topeka couple is accused of working with a Colorado man to fraudulently get documents to stay in the U.S.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"An indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Mahesh Gangineni and his wife, Komali Donavalli, of Topeka along with Sankar Chava of Littleton, Colorado with conspiracy to fraudulantly obtain an H-1B visa."
Friday, May 22, 2009
BW - U.S. Job Losses Not Due to H-1B Visas, Report Says
From my archive of press clippings:
Business Week
U.S. Job Losses Not Due to H-1B Visas, Report Says
March 30, 2009, 9:38AM EST
New H-1B visa holders don't make much of a dent in the U.S. workforce, according to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy
By Deepshikha Monga
US lawmakers may be busy putting restrictions on the country's primary temporary work visa, H-1B, but new H-1B visaholders each year represent just seven in 10,000 civilian workers in the US, according to a report by an American public policy organisation.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"As per the report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NAFP), 1,07,686 new H-1B petitions were approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008, including those exempt from being included in the H1-B quota of 85,000 visas annually. In comparison, the American civilian labour force stood at 154.6 million in 2008.
The US Senate recently cleared a bill that restricts hiring of H1-B visa holders by financial services firm receiving government bailout funds."
Business Week
U.S. Job Losses Not Due to H-1B Visas, Report Says
March 30, 2009, 9:38AM EST
New H-1B visa holders don't make much of a dent in the U.S. workforce, according to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy
By Deepshikha Monga
US lawmakers may be busy putting restrictions on the country's primary temporary work visa, H-1B, but new H-1B visaholders each year represent just seven in 10,000 civilian workers in the US, according to a report by an American public policy organisation.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"As per the report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NAFP), 1,07,686 new H-1B petitions were approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008, including those exempt from being included in the H1-B quota of 85,000 visas annually. In comparison, the American civilian labour force stood at 154.6 million in 2008.
The US Senate recently cleared a bill that restricts hiring of H1-B visa holders by financial services firm receiving government bailout funds."
Sunday, May 17, 2009
USA-T - Our view on legal immigration: Congratulations, graduate. Now leave the USA. Limits on skilled-immigrant visas hurt the nation's competitivene
USA Today
Our view on legal immigration: Congratulations, graduate. Now leave the USA. Limits on skilled-immigrant visas hurt the nation's competitiveness.
Posted at 12:22 AM/ET, May 12, 2009
Around this time each year, thousands of foreign students graduate with science and engineering degrees from U.S. universities. Many are eager to stay in America and contribute to the U.S. economy.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"For years, Congress has limited the number of highly skilled foreign workers whom U.S. companies can hire under what's known as the H-1B program. Every April 1, companies — from high-tech to financial firms — file petitions to hire these individuals.
In recent years, the cap of 85,000 (including 20,000 set aside for those with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions) has been reached within days, sometimes the first day. Last year, about 78,000 of the best and brightest didn't make the cut. "
Our view on legal immigration: Congratulations, graduate. Now leave the USA. Limits on skilled-immigrant visas hurt the nation's competitiveness.
Posted at 12:22 AM/ET, May 12, 2009
Around this time each year, thousands of foreign students graduate with science and engineering degrees from U.S. universities. Many are eager to stay in America and contribute to the U.S. economy.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"For years, Congress has limited the number of highly skilled foreign workers whom U.S. companies can hire under what's known as the H-1B program. Every April 1, companies — from high-tech to financial firms — file petitions to hire these individuals.
In recent years, the cap of 85,000 (including 20,000 set aside for those with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions) has been reached within days, sometimes the first day. Last year, about 78,000 of the best and brightest didn't make the cut. "
MP - H-1B workers stuck in home countries
Marketplace
H-1B workers stuck in home countries
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Read the whole, short, article here.
H-1B workers stuck in home countries
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Read the whole, short, article here.
Friday, May 8, 2009
THP - American Brain Drain: Why We Need H1B Visa Immigration Reform
The Huffington Post
American Brain Drain: Why We Need H1B Visa Immigration Reform
Posted May 4, 2009 10:23 AM (EST)
America's immigration system is broken. While most focus on illegal immigration or changing ethnicities of legal immigration, what concerns me is that we are losing our historic ability to attract and retain the word's brightest and most entrepreneurial workers.
Read the whole post here.
_____
Gary Shapiro is the president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association.
American Brain Drain: Why We Need H1B Visa Immigration Reform
Posted May 4, 2009 10:23 AM (EST)
America's immigration system is broken. While most focus on illegal immigration or changing ethnicities of legal immigration, what concerns me is that we are losing our historic ability to attract and retain the word's brightest and most entrepreneurial workers.
Read the whole post here.
_____
Gary Shapiro is the president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association.
Monday, May 4, 2009
NW - Dismal Datapoint of the Day: The H-1B Visa Lottery
From my archive of press clippings:
Newsweek
Dismal Datapoint of the Day: The H-1B Visa Lottery
Posted Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:57 PM
Barrett Sheridan
The H-1B visa is one of those policies that everyone loves to hate. It gives skilled immigrants -- scientists, engineers, researchers, etc. -- the right to live and work in the U.S. for six years, so nativists hate it right off the bat. But in fields that attract too few American citizens, such as computer programming, it has become an essential part of the hiring process. But tech executives and globalization advocates loathe it because the cap is too low, and it's devilishly hard to get one. The U.S. gives out only 85,000 each year, and 20,000 of those are reserved for applicants with advanced degrees. The demand for these visas is so strong that generally all 85,000 are given out within the first couple days of filing, which begins April 1.
But not this year. Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services took the rather unprecedented step of announcing that, after a full week of accepting applications, it still hadn't reached the cap.
Newsweek
Dismal Datapoint of the Day: The H-1B Visa Lottery
Posted Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:57 PM
Barrett Sheridan
The H-1B visa is one of those policies that everyone loves to hate. It gives skilled immigrants -- scientists, engineers, researchers, etc. -- the right to live and work in the U.S. for six years, so nativists hate it right off the bat. But in fields that attract too few American citizens, such as computer programming, it has become an essential part of the hiring process. But tech executives and globalization advocates loathe it because the cap is too low, and it's devilishly hard to get one. The U.S. gives out only 85,000 each year, and 20,000 of those are reserved for applicants with advanced degrees. The demand for these visas is so strong that generally all 85,000 are given out within the first couple days of filing, which begins April 1.
But not this year. Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services took the rather unprecedented step of announcing that, after a full week of accepting applications, it still hadn't reached the cap.
Read the whole article here.
Friday, May 1, 2009
TOI - US scholars want H-1B visa cap raised
Times of India
US scholars want H-1B visa cap raised
8 Apr 2009, 1241 hrs IST, PTI
WASHINGTON: Asking the Obama administration and Congress to increase the cap of H-1B work visas, popular among Indian professionals, from the present 65,000 to 195,000 per annum, two eminent scholars from a US think tank have said such a move would help stimulate economic growth and generate tax revenue.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The two Heritage Foundation scholars insisted that increasing the cap of H-1B visas for highly skilled professionals would not steal American jobs, as is being believed in a section in the US.
Such a measure would, in fact, stimulate economic growth and generate the much needed tax revenue, they argued in an article published yesterday."
US scholars want H-1B visa cap raised
8 Apr 2009, 1241 hrs IST, PTI
WASHINGTON: Asking the Obama administration and Congress to increase the cap of H-1B work visas, popular among Indian professionals, from the present 65,000 to 195,000 per annum, two eminent scholars from a US think tank have said such a move would help stimulate economic growth and generate tax revenue.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The two Heritage Foundation scholars insisted that increasing the cap of H-1B visas for highly skilled professionals would not steal American jobs, as is being believed in a section in the US.
Such a measure would, in fact, stimulate economic growth and generate the much needed tax revenue, they argued in an article published yesterday."
Saturday, April 18, 2009
TET - Silicon Valley pushes for H1B visas
The Economic Times
Silicon Valley pushes for H1B visas
13 Apr 2009, 1111 hrs IST, PTI
WASHINGTON: Reflecting the mood of the Silicon Valley, prominent media outlets from California have come out openly in support of the H-1B work visas and opposed increasing the "hire Americans" call in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Silicon Valley pushes for H1B visas
13 Apr 2009, 1111 hrs IST, PTI
WASHINGTON: Reflecting the mood of the Silicon Valley, prominent media outlets from California have come out openly in support of the H-1B work visas and opposed increasing the "hire Americans" call in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
BW - H-1B Visa Season Is Here
Business World
H-1B Visa Season Is Here
The U.S. government begins accepting applications on Apr. 1, and all 85,000 H-1B visas available are expected to be used
March 31, 2009, 12:01AM EST
By Moira Herbst
On Apr. 1, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for H-1B visas for skilled workers. The number of applications will reveal U.S. employers' current appetite for overseas workers.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(C)ritics of the H-1B visa program, who point to its potential for abuse and fraud, say that with U.S. unemployment rising, it's not clear there is a shortage of skilled workers in the U.S."
"Under the current system, the number of high-skilled workers allowed in each year on temporary work visas is capped at 65,000, with a further 20,000 for those with advanced degrees. Compete America, which also represents Intel (INTC), Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and others, has advocated for the cap to be increased to at least 115,000.
Microsoft has been among the most vocal champions of increasing skilled immigration into the U.S., with Bill Gates testifying before Congress several times. The company's stance has attracted heat from critics of the H-1B program, especially as Microsoft announced it would lay off some U.S. workers."
continued
"(U)nder current law, employers seeking H-1B visas do not need to prove that they have first tried to hire an American worker for the job. On Mar. 31, Bright Future Jobs, a U.S. tech worker lobbying group, posted on its Web site 13 advertisements for jobs in which the employer designated a preference for H-1B visa workers or targeted them specifically for the positions, according to the Web site."
"In the final version of the economic stimulus bill in February, Senate and House negotiators agreed to stricter limits on banks and other firms receiving taxpayer bailouts that use the H-1B visa program. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) are expected to introduce legislation that would require all companies to observe such stricter limits before looking at H-1B visa workers."
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
H-1B Visa Season Is Here
The U.S. government begins accepting applications on Apr. 1, and all 85,000 H-1B visas available are expected to be used
March 31, 2009, 12:01AM EST
By Moira Herbst
On Apr. 1, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for H-1B visas for skilled workers. The number of applications will reveal U.S. employers' current appetite for overseas workers.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"(C)ritics of the H-1B visa program, who point to its potential for abuse and fraud, say that with U.S. unemployment rising, it's not clear there is a shortage of skilled workers in the U.S."
"Under the current system, the number of high-skilled workers allowed in each year on temporary work visas is capped at 65,000, with a further 20,000 for those with advanced degrees. Compete America, which also represents Intel (INTC), Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and others, has advocated for the cap to be increased to at least 115,000.
Microsoft has been among the most vocal champions of increasing skilled immigration into the U.S., with Bill Gates testifying before Congress several times. The company's stance has attracted heat from critics of the H-1B program, especially as Microsoft announced it would lay off some U.S. workers."
continued
"(U)nder current law, employers seeking H-1B visas do not need to prove that they have first tried to hire an American worker for the job. On Mar. 31, Bright Future Jobs, a U.S. tech worker lobbying group, posted on its Web site 13 advertisements for jobs in which the employer designated a preference for H-1B visa workers or targeted them specifically for the positions, according to the Web site."
"In the final version of the economic stimulus bill in February, Senate and House negotiators agreed to stricter limits on banks and other firms receiving taxpayer bailouts that use the H-1B visa program. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) are expected to introduce legislation that would require all companies to observe such stricter limits before looking at H-1B visa workers."
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Monday, March 30, 2009
TET - VHP wants India to ban American products over H1B visa issue
From my archive of press clippings:
The Economic Times
VHP wants India to ban American products over H1B visa issue
25 Feb 2009, 1714 hrs IST, PTI
KOCHI: The VHP on Wednesday asked the Indian Government to ban all American products unless the Barack Obama administration amends its decision on H1B visa curbs.
Read the whole article here.
The Economic Times
VHP wants India to ban American products over H1B visa issue
25 Feb 2009, 1714 hrs IST, PTI
KOCHI: The VHP on Wednesday asked the Indian Government to ban all American products unless the Barack Obama administration amends its decision on H1B visa curbs.
Read the whole article here.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
EW - Dominos Keep Falling in H1-B Visa Fraud Schemes
From my archive of press clippings:
eWeek.com
Dominos Keep Falling in H1-B Visa Fraud Schemes
By Roy Mark
2009-02-25
Federal, state and local authorities are tightening the noose on H1-B fraud schemes in the United States, where the Customs and Immigration Service claims 1 in 5 H1-B visas are obtained under false pretenses.
Read the whole article here.
eWeek.com
Dominos Keep Falling in H1-B Visa Fraud Schemes
By Roy Mark
2009-02-25
Federal, state and local authorities are tightening the noose on H1-B fraud schemes in the United States, where the Customs and Immigration Service claims 1 in 5 H1-B visas are obtained under false pretenses.
Read the whole article here.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
WSJ - Remove cap on H-1B visa: LinkedIn CEO
LiveMint.Com
Remove cap on H-1B visa: LinkedIn CEO
Reid Hoffman said, “A 10% payroll tax for each H-1B visa can be reinvested in whatever it takes to get American talent up to the same level”
Posted: Thu, Mar 5 2009. 3:40 PM IST
Washington: CEO and founder of popular site LinkedIn Reid Hoffman on Thursday urged the US Congress and the Obama Administration to remove the cap on H-1B visas, which enable foreign nationals to live and work in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Remove cap on H-1B visa: LinkedIn CEO
Reid Hoffman said, “A 10% payroll tax for each H-1B visa can be reinvested in whatever it takes to get American talent up to the same level”
Posted: Thu, Mar 5 2009. 3:40 PM IST
Washington: CEO and founder of popular site LinkedIn Reid Hoffman on Thursday urged the US Congress and the Obama Administration to remove the cap on H-1B visas, which enable foreign nationals to live and work in the United States.
Read the whole article here.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
TDN - Don't expedite offshoring with more work visas
From my archive of press clippings:
The Detroit News
Don't expedite offshoring with more work visas
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Froma Harrop
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, President Obama's former pick for commerce secretary, vows to create millions of technology jobs that can't be outsourced. Sounds good, particularly in this melting economy.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Richardson supports expanding the H-1B visa program, which had greased the departure of good-paying tech jobs to lower-wage countries."
&
"Indian outsourcing companies account for almost 80 percent of the visa petitions approved for the top 10 participants in the program, according to BusinessWeek.
The Indian commerce minister has called H-1B "the outsourcing visa."
The Detroit News
Don't expedite offshoring with more work visas
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Froma Harrop
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, President Obama's former pick for commerce secretary, vows to create millions of technology jobs that can't be outsourced. Sounds good, particularly in this melting economy.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"Richardson supports expanding the H-1B visa program, which had greased the departure of good-paying tech jobs to lower-wage countries."
&
"Indian outsourcing companies account for almost 80 percent of the visa petitions approved for the top 10 participants in the program, according to BusinessWeek.
The Indian commerce minister has called H-1B "the outsourcing visa."
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