New Update on Budget Bill..

aix2005

Registered Users (C)
CENT is quoting that this bill will be debated by Senate Budget Committee coming wednesday.. Looks like it is moving fast


U.S. senators this week endorsed a proposal that's long been a favorite of technology companies: a bigger pool of foreign workers.

A spending measure approved on Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee will boost the number of H-1B visas for highly skilled guest workers by about half--from 65,000 to 95,000.

H-1B visa opposition.The proposal would also raise H-1B application fees for U.S. employers by $500, which supporters described as a way to offset spending and avoid sizable increases in the federal budget deficit.

The changes won't take effect unless the full Senate--and later, a conference with the House of Representatives--approves. That may be easier said than done, as the House's version does not currently provide for a change in the H-1B visa cap. The next step for the bill is a debate in the Senate Budget Committee, currently scheduled for Wednesday.

The aim of the H-1B program, launched in 1990, is to keep U.S. companies globally competitive by allowing them to fill voids with skilled professionals from abroad. Under the program, foreigners with at least a bachelor's degree in their area of specialty can remain employed in the United States for up to six years.

Representatives from the technology industry generally applauded this week's move as a positive first step.

The measure "will give U.S. business more ability to compete, succeed, remain competitive and provide new revenue for training U.S. workers and for deficit reduction," said Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs for Microsoft, whose chief has called for an unlimited supply of H-1Bs.

But some argued that the proposed increase wouldn't be enough to make a real dent. "My guess is if Congress does approve the 30,000, then those will get eaten up pretty quickly, and we'll be back in a similar situation," said Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America, which counts IBM, Microsoft and Oracle among its members.

The visa cap hit a peak level of 195,000 between 2001 and 2003 but was cut back to its current level in 2004.







Previous Next Congress "didn't foresee there would be a continued need for keeping it at that level, but it was very unrealistic to let it go back down to 65,000 when you had 195,000 and all those visas were being used up," said Harry Joe, a Texas-based immigration lawyer whose clients include technology companies that employ H-1B workers. "I think it needs to revert back to what the historic demand has been."

For the past two years, Joe said, the annual limit was met just as the new fiscal year began. Last year, that prompted Congress to approve a boost of up to 20,000 visas for foreigners who receive master's degrees or higher from American schools.


The idea of raising the number of visas has not been universally embraced. The IEEE-USA, which represents high-tech professionals, has criticized the system for taking jobs away from qualified Americans and has suggested that the companies have gotten away with paying less to foreign workers. Chris McManes, the organization's senior public-relations coordinator, said on Friday that the 65,000 number is sufficient.

"It should be a fall-back option for companies who cannot find U.S. workers," he conceded, "but we feel that in most cases, U.S. workers could be found."

http://news.com.com/H-1B+visas+may+grow+by+half/2100-1022_3-5906852.html?tag=nefd.top
 
We need to continue with our effors

We need to continue with our efforts to contact the pro-immigration lobby groups and pro-immigration senators/congressmen.

I am suprised the IEEE is against the H-1 visas.
 
According to IEEE, it was the first time in the last several years that the American engineers suffered a salary decrease (I think -1.5%) and they attributed that decrease in salary to the H1b folks.

MDGUTS1307 said:
We need to continue with our efforts to contact the pro-immigration lobby groups and pro-immigration senators/congressmen.

I am suprised the IEEE is against the H-1 visas.
 
Congress lobby

Of course IEEE opposes this, they represent US tech workers, they see this as the old demand and supply labour economics. They do not realise that in this new era of global economics and web based industries and easy communication/data transfer, jobs and especially so Tech Jobs are freely mobile and transferrable, they cannot hide behind mama congress' skirt! The only hope is to concentrate on innovation and value which comes from teamwork and brilliant minds working together in groups......................ala Google.
The US Senate is clearly sold on this issue, generally if it gets approved in the senate judiciary committee, the senate vote becomes a rubber stamping going forward, and especially so since it passed 13-3 in committee. So the Senate is a safe bet.
The big B is very business friendly if not immigrant friendly(which I also believe he is in his heart of hearts). So if it gets to him he is likley to sign it.
The big sticking point is likely to become some of the stubborn protectionist congressmen who will be trying to beat the drums of protectionism in this lukewarm economy to gain traction with the working class in an upcoming election year.
My suggestion is to focus efforts on lobbying congress. They are the ones likely to dilute these provisions from the senate judiciary committee while it is in conference. They were the ones that made those negative changes in the real ID bill.
So Congress,, thats where the action is guys/gals. Any thoughts?
 
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I agree

posmd,

I agree that the congress may give some headaches. We should aim to get our congressmen/women on our sides. The three congressmen from my state are will probably be easy to convince. We should all send them letters/faxes about the retrogression issues.
 
well said!!

posmd said:
Of course IEEE opposes this, they represent US tech workers, they see this as the old demand and supply labour economics. They do not realise that in this new era of global economics and web based industries and easy communication/data transfer, jobs and especially so Tech Jobs are freely mobile and transferrable, they cannot hide behind mama congress' skirt! The only hope is to concentrate on innovation and value which comes from teamwork and brilliant minds working together in groups......................ala Google.
The US Senate is clearly sold on this issue, generally if it gets approved in the senate judiciary committee, the senate vote becomes a rubber stamping going forward, and especially so since it passed 13-3 in committee. So the Senate is a safe bet.
The big B is very business friendly if not immigrant friendly(which I also believe he is in his heart of hearts). So if it gets to him he is likley to sign it.
The big sticking point is likely to become some of the stubborn protectionist congressmen who will be trying to beat the drums of protectionism in this lukewarm economy to gain traction with the working class in an upcoming election year.
My suggestion is to focus efforts on lobbying congress. They are the ones likely to dilute these provisions from the senate judiciary committee while it is in conference. They were the ones that made those negative changes in the real ID bill.
So Congress,, thats where the action is guys/gals. Any thoughts?
 
This is also going to be split party wise. republican congressmen will oppose, and democrats will support.

Alas! Republicans control majority on both floors.
 
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From Shusterman

Take a look at www.shusterman.com.

The only thing thats approved is the move to increase H1B to 95000. Nobody is saying anything for visa number recapture.

I wrote to my lawyer at sheel murthy and this is what she says :-

Rekha,

Per the attorney:

There is no such new law. There are a lot of proposals, but it is
doubtful
that any of them will be enacted anytime soon, if ever.

Regards,


Paralegal Coordinator
I-485 Department
----------------------
With over 45 full time attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, we
provide
excellent service in the area of U.S. Immigration Law to clients
worldwide.
NOTE: Only attorneys are authorized by law to provide legal advice.
This
message may contain confidential Attorney-Client communication. If you
are
not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this
message.
----------------------
The Law Office of Sheela Murthy : U S Immigration Law
10451 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117. USA
Phone : 410.356.5440 Fax : 410.356.5669
WebSite : http://www.murthy.com



Is the lawyer saying the true statement ? When can we know ?
 
What Next ?

What next ?

Guys:

How do we move forward with this? Any thoughts on how we continue our lobbying efforts. I have already written (faxed )to the members of the SJC thanking them for the first round.

There is a crack in the door. We have to push it open now...
 
Hmm... I just go to www.shusterman.com and I see news there confirming that the SJC approved the language that would allow the recapture of 90,000 EB numbers and exemption of family members torwards the visa number headcounts. This is a fact. What it remains to be seen is the final outcome.

charlotteperson said:
Take a look at www.shusterman.com.

The only thing thats approved is the move to increase H1B to 95000. Nobody is saying anything for visa number recapture.

I wrote to my lawyer at sheel murthy and this is what she says :-

Rekha,

Per the attorney:

There is no such new law. There are a lot of proposals, but it is
doubtful
that any of them will be enacted anytime soon, if ever.

Regards,


Paralegal Coordinator
I-485 Department
----------------------
With over 45 full time attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, we
provide
excellent service in the area of U.S. Immigration Law to clients
worldwide.
NOTE: Only attorneys are authorized by law to provide legal advice.
This
message may contain confidential Attorney-Client communication. If you
are
not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this
message.
----------------------
The Law Office of Sheela Murthy : U S Immigration Law
10451 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117. USA
Phone : 410.356.5440 Fax : 410.356.5669
WebSite : http://www.murthy.com



Is the lawyer saying the true statement ? When can we know ?
 
ha, why am i not surprised. i bet the guy (or the gal for that matter) haven't heard of SJC hearings either. They do what they are paid for, or what they think they have already been paid for and won't move a finger to go outta their way for you. So stay tuned to this forum and other internet sources and forget about your stupid lawyer.

charlotteperson said:
Take a look at www.shusterman.com.

The only thing thats approved is the move to increase H1B to 95000. Nobody is saying anything for visa number recapture.

I wrote to my lawyer at sheel murthy and this is what she says :-

Rekha,

Per the attorney:

There is no such new law. There are a lot of proposals, but it is
doubtful
that any of them will be enacted anytime soon, if ever.

Regards,


Paralegal Coordinator
I-485 Department
----------------------
With over 45 full time attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, we
provide
excellent service in the area of U.S. Immigration Law to clients
worldwide.
NOTE: Only attorneys are authorized by law to provide legal advice.
This
message may contain confidential Attorney-Client communication. If you
are
not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this
message.
----------------------
The Law Office of Sheela Murthy : U S Immigration Law
10451 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD 21117. USA
Phone : 410.356.5440 Fax : 410.356.5669
WebSite : http://www.murthy.com



Is the lawyer saying the true statement ? When can we know ?
 
charlotteperson said:
Lets hope for the best. Is the hearing on October 26th ?

Senate Budget Committee will take a look at it on Oct 25, maybe then it'll be more clear when the bill will be brought to the Senate floor.
 
Shouldn't we call the budget committee members today?

Then, shouldn't we contact the budget committee senators today?? Anybody has any update if this is indeed coming up before the budget committee tomorrow? If then then we have to act today. I am sure the calls to the JC helped a lot to get us through last week - comon if anybody has concrete info, please post asap. Then lets call the Budget committee members today.

xbohdpukc said:
Senate Budget Committee will take a look at it on Oct 25, maybe then it'll be more clear when the bill will be brought to the Senate floor.
 
Shusterman Document

The Document abt recapturing EB3 number on www.shusterman.com, talks pretty much only abt Schedule A Nurses. Nothing about all H1s.

We need to contact more senators. and can we Please have a seperate thread, specifically for people who have contacted Senators AND received replies. We need to know who exactly to talk to, once you guys have spoken to them once. I mean it's better to know whom to talk to, rather than be routed and re-routed and end up with someone, who is not pro-immigration.

Will one of the moderators pls help in starting that kinda thread?

Thanks
 
Budget reconciliation by mid-November?

Here is an email I got from Senator Specter's office on the next stages for the Budget Reconciliation bill before the President signs it into Law.

From Carrie DeLeone <Carrie_DeLone@specter.senate.gov>

The budget process is somewhat complicated. Each committee (Judiciary, Agriculture, etc) has now gone through their individual budget reconciliation bills. Each bill is then taken up in the Budget Committee. The overall budget reconciliation bill needs to pass through the budget committee and then be voted on on the floor of the Senate. Once the Senate and House pass their bills, it then goes to conference. All of this was supposed to have been completed already, but because of Hurricane Katrina and the Supreme Court nominations, things have been delayed. It should be completed before the senate goes into recess around Thanksgiving. There could be more delays depending on the Harriet Miers hearing. It really is difficult to know, but according to the general timeline, budget reconciliation should occur in mid November. Hope this helps.
 
Expect change in Jan'06 Visa Bulletin

See my comments under thread "Senate Judiciary Committe Meeting?"
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.phpt=193791&page=4&pp=15

Deadline for Senate Budget Committee's reconciliation package, slated to be put together October 26.
http://www.ombwatch.org/article/blogs/entry/1194/2

It appears the House Budget Committee has moved the deadline for budget reconciliation back to October 28th
http://www.ombwatch.org/article/blogs/entry/1163/2

I think this whole Employment based visa numbers relief (90000) should become law just before thanks giving. Congress and president usualy signs bills just before thanksgiving. Assuming president signs it in mid November. It may reflect in JAN'06 VISA BULLETIN.
 
Wish it happens sooner than later.. Kind of loosing patience.....


ARJUDAVID said:
See my comments under thread "Senate Judiciary Committe Meeting?"
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.phpt=193791&page=4&pp=15

Deadline for Senate Budget Committee's reconciliation package, slated to be put together October 26.
http://www.ombwatch.org/article/blogs/entry/1194/2

It appears the House Budget Committee has moved the deadline for budget reconciliation back to October 28th
http://www.ombwatch.org/article/blogs/entry/1163/2

I think this whole Employment based visa numbers relief (90000) should become law just before thanks giving. Congress and president usualy signs bills just before thanksgiving. Assuming president signs it in mid November. It may reflect in JAN'06 VISA BULLETIN.
 
Federal Register

Even it is signed into law by President. Do CIS/DoS have to wait until it gets published in the Federal Register, before executing ? If yes, how long it takes to get there?
 
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