US governors want more H-1B visas
Amid heavy demand from the US industry for highly skilled workers, a group of 13 Republican and Democratic governors has urged congress to increase the availability of the H-1B visas, sought by a large number of Indian hi-tech professionals every ...
By PTI |
WASHINGTON: Amid heavy demand from the US industry for highly skilled workers, a group of 13 Republican and Democratic governors has urged congress to increase the availability of the H-1B visas, sought by a large number of Indian hi-tech professionals every year.
The governors, including California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, called for a hike in the H-1B visa limit, saying that their states face a critical shortage of highly skilled professionals in math and science. Until this shortage is addressed, the governors wrote in a letter to the Republican and Democratic leaders, “We must recognise that foreign talent has a role to play in our ability to keep companies located in our state and country,” ‘The Hill’ newspaper reported.
Besides calling for relief through an increase in the 65,000 H-1B visas allotted for skilled workers, the governors pointed to the huge backlog in applications for green cards.
“While wholesale immigration reform may not be possible in the 110th congress, we urge congressional action this year that recognises states’ immediate need to recruit and retain professionals in key sectors while we continue to produce here at home the skilled work force our companies need in the long term,” the letter said.
The governors who are behind the latest push are from California, Washington, Indiana, Colorado, Wyoming, Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas.
A comprehensive immigration reform failed in the senate, but lawmakers have been talking of pushing through certain provisions, including for agricultural workers and highly skilled work force, through a variety of legislative ways like stand alone measures.
“The urgency for additional H-1Bs and green cards hasn’t changed, which is why we’re continuing to talk to members of congress about short-term and long-term relief,” Robert Hoffman, vice-president of congressional and legislative affairs for Oracle was quoted in the media report as saying.
He also pointed to the huge backlog of highly skilled green card applicants in the us, many of whom have been waiting in excess of five years.
The governors, including California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, called for a hike in the H-1B visa limit, saying that their states face a critical shortage of highly skilled professionals in math and science. Until this shortage is addressed, the governors wrote in a letter to the Republican and Democratic leaders, “We must recognise that foreign talent has a role to play in our ability to keep companies located in our state and country,” ‘The Hill’ newspaper reported.
Besides calling for relief through an increase in the 65,000 H-1B visas allotted for skilled workers, the governors pointed to the huge backlog in applications for green cards.
“While wholesale immigration reform may not be possible in the 110th congress, we urge congressional action this year that recognises states’ immediate need to recruit and retain professionals in key sectors while we continue to produce here at home the skilled work force our companies need in the long term,” the letter said.
The governors who are behind the latest push are from California, Washington, Indiana, Colorado, Wyoming, Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas.
A comprehensive immigration reform failed in the senate, but lawmakers have been talking of pushing through certain provisions, including for agricultural workers and highly skilled work force, through a variety of legislative ways like stand alone measures.
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“The urgency for additional H-1Bs and green cards hasn’t changed, which is why we’re continuing to talk to members of congress about short-term and long-term relief,” Robert Hoffman, vice-president of congressional and legislative affairs for Oracle was quoted in the media report as saying.
He also pointed to the huge backlog of highly skilled green card applicants in the us, many of whom have been waiting in excess of five years.
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