letter response from seneter
From : Saxby Chambliss <saxby_chambliss@chambliss.senate.gov>
Sent : Tuesday, November 15, 2005 5:40 PM
Subject : Responding to your message
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November 15, 2005
Dear Mrs. Desai:
Thank you for contacting me regarding H-1B visas. I
appreciate hearing your from you.
Like most countries of the world, the United States limits
the type and number of foreign workers who can enter the United
States. H-1B visas are used by foreign nationals with specialized
knowledge and have several safeguards for not displacing
American workers, such as attesting the lack of an available U.S.
worker with proper skills and requiring a prevailing wage.
The economic prosperity of the 1990s fueled a drive to
increase the levels of employment-based immigration. The nation
enjoyed its longest economic expansion, and the unemployment
rate remained low. Both Congress and the Federal Reserve Board
then expressed concern that a scarcity of labor could curtail the
pace of economic growth. A primary legislative response was to
increase the supply of foreign temporary professional workers
through fiscal year 2003. For fiscal year 1999 (FY99) and fiscal
year 2000 (FY00), Congress enacted legislation to increase the
number of H-1B visas to 115,000. Many in the business
community, notably in the information technology area, once more
urged that the ceiling be raised. Congress, again striving to
balance the needs of U.S. employers with employment
opportunities for U.S. residents, enacted legislation to raise the
annual ceiling to 195,000 for 3 years and to expand education and
training programs for U.S. citizens. Currently, the limit of H1-B
visas has reverted to the statutory level of 65,000.
In the 108th Congress, when I was Chairman of the Senate
Immigration Subcommittee, Congress enacted legislation that
required an additional $500 anti-fraud fee for each H-B
application. The fee better enables the government to detect and
prevent fraud in the system. Recently, the Senate passed
legislation allowing for 30,000 temporary H-1B visas that were
authorized and made available by Congress but went unused in
previous years to be recaptured. Employers must pay an additional
$500 fee for these visas. This increase in fees alone provides an
additional $45 million toward scholarship and training funds for
American citizens.
Recently, the Senate passed its budget reconciliation
package. The chief purpose of the budget reconciliation process is
to enhance Congress' ability to change current law in order to
bring revenue, spending, and debt-limit levels into conformity with
the budget resolution passed earlier this year. As part of the
budget reconciliation process, the Senate Judiciary Committee was
charged with reducing the deficit by $300 million over five years.
In order to meet this obligation, the Judiciary Committee put
together and the Senate passed a proposal that would make
available up to 30,000 temporary H-1B visas that were previously
unused. I believe this is a balanced legislation that will provide for
the needs of U.S. businesses and protect the interests of U.S.
workers. Importantly, this legislation will increase our
competitiveness and promote job growth for America's future.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, between 2002
and 2012 there will be 2 million job openings in the U.S. in the
fields of computer science, mathematics, engineering, and the
physical sciences. In math, science, and engineering, 50% or more
of the post-graduate degrees at U.S. universities are awarded to
foreign nationals. It is counterproductive for the U.S. to train
foreign scientists and engineers and then send them all home to
compete against American businesses. However, we must ensure
that scholarship and education opportunities encourage U.S.
students to pursue careers in these fields.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with
me on this important matter. I understand your concerns
regarding immigration, and I can assure you that I am working to
come up with a comprehensive plan to stop illegal immigration.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of further
assistance.
Sincerely,
Saxby Chambliss
United States Senate
