Governors ask Congress to increase H-1B

Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 1:57 AM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1754 -- 9/11/2007 >>>>>

13 state governors signed a petition sponsored by CompeteAmerica to increase
the number of H-1B visas. This petition got bi-partisan report from both
Republicans and Democrats. I believe this petition is timed to support the
lobbying push next week as well as the Washington DC rally by Immigration
Voice (see previous newsletter).

These are the signatories:

Chris Gregoire, D-Washington
Deval Patrick, D-Massachusetts
Jim Doyle, D-Wisconsin
Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-California
Dave Freudenthal, D-Wyoming
Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kansas
Mitch Daniels, R-Indiana
Eliot Spitzer, D-New York
Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota
Bill Ritter, D-Colorado
Janet Napolitano, D-Arizona
Jim Gibbons, R-Nevada
Rick Perry, R-Texas

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Governors throw support behind H-1B increase http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9776360-7.html

September 11, 2007 3:06 PM PDT

Governors throw support behind H-1B increase Posted by Anne Broache

A congressional push this year for an increase in the H-1B visas coveted by
Silicon Valley companies seemingly evaporated with the death of a contentious
immigration bill. But 13 state governors say the politicians must revive that
effort--and soon, please.

Claiming "a critical shortage of highly skilled professionals in math and
science to fill current needs," the band of chief executives on Tuesday sent a
letter urging U.S. Senate and House of Representatives leaders to forge ahead
with upping the number of the temporary H-1B visas and permanent-resident
green cards. Click here to view a copy (PDF).

See http://www.competeamerica.org/news/alliance_pr/gov_letter_9-11-07.pdf

The signatories represent a number of tech-industry-heavy states, including
Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Rick Perry of Texas, Deval Patrick
of Massachusetts, Chris Gregoire of Washington and Eliot Spitzer of New York.
The governors said they recognized there may not be time for comprehensive
action on immigration laws during this session of Congress but said quick
movement is needed on the skilled visa issue, as evidenced by the rapid speed
by which this year's quota was met.

The H-1B program, created in 1990, allows foreigners with at least a
bachelor's degree in their area of specialty to be employed in the United
States for up to six years. There's currently an annual cap of 65,000 visas,
at least on paper, with up to 20,000 extras available for foreigners who earn
advanced degrees from U.S. universities. (Various exemptions bump the total
allotment to just above 100,000.)

Although the visas are prized by Silicon Valley companies, the idea of
allowing more of them has generated disdain from groups representing American
tech workers. Several congressional proposals propose expanding the annual
cap, but some politicians have voiced concern that the program is being abused
in a way that replaces American workers or depresses their wages in comparable
positions.

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