Obama to sign the border security bill today

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama would sign a new border security bill, that has been termed as "discriminatory" by the Indian and American companies, as it raises H-1B and L-1 visa fee mostly for Indian companies to generate funds for the $600 mn to secure the US-Mexico border.

Obama, in a statement, welcomed the passage of the bill after the US Senate came back from its summer recess for a rare special session yesterday morning to approve it by a voice vote. Only two senators attended the short session: Democrats Ben Cardin and Charles Schumer.

Under Senate rules, only two members must be present if legislation is unanimously agreed to by all others. The House of Representatives had passed the bill early this week.

To offset the emergency border spending, the proposal would hike fees assessed on particular companies that exploit two categories of visas. Firms with more than 50 employees and more than 50 percent of their employees on H-1B work visas would be affected.

"A handful of foreign-controlled companies that operate in the US, such as Wipro, Tata, Infosys and Satyam--rely on H1B and L visas to import foreign workers to the US.

The Senate Democrats' border security proposal would increase the visa fees paid by these companies by roughly USD 2,000 per visa application," said Senator Claire McCaskill.

Obama said today's action by Congress answers his call to bolster the essential work of federal law enforcement officials and improve their ability to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

"The resources made available through this legislation will build upon our successful efforts to protect communities along the Southwest border and across the country. This new law will also strengthen our partnership with Mexico in targeting the gangs and criminal organisations that operate on both sides of the shared border," Obama said.

"So these steps will make an important difference as my administration continues to work with Congress toward bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform to secure our borders, and restore responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system," he said.