Senate Votes To Increase Fees For Foreign Skilled Workers

[OhioChick]

Source: Information Week

The SIIA blasts U.S. policymakers for increasing visa fees while their EU counterparts try to make it easier for skilled workers to enter.
October 29, 2007 11:14 AM


As the European Union cracked open its doors for skilled workers, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a $3,500 fee increase for U.S. companies bringing them to America.

The Senate approved the measure last week, the same day the European Union announced a new "Blue Card" plan to issue temporary work visas to well educated foreign professionals.

Software & Information Industry Association President Ken Wasch said the U.S. action was "gravely disconcerting."

"With the drastic shortage of H-1B visas for temporary high-skilled workers and the backlog of employment-based green cards, the U.S. is already competing in the global talent competition with its hands tied behind its back," he said in a prepared statement. "This additional fee to hire specialized talent -- which often comes out of American universities -- sends yet another signal that our nation is not serious about being a world leader in technology and innovation."



Read more: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202602865

[Robbien]

1. Oh bull. A $3,500 fee paid by the company who is getting an employee

for several tens of thousands of dollars less than they would have paid to our current underemployed work force.

SIIA is just shill.

[OhioChick]

2. Damn Straight. n/t

[EVDebs]

3. But I hear those fees go to pay for US scholarships etc., per Bernie Sanders, is this true ?

If so, Bernie Sanders has done us all a favor.

[pattmarty]

4. EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS!!!!!!!! Then you won't need a law.

[EVDebs]

5. Psst. The Universities get a big payoff by importing foreign students

They don't get the same with the domestic product. Besides, the Dept of Labor supports importing foreign labor with student and H1B visas that are subsidized with US taxpayer dollars,

"Even the terminology is open to interpretation: those who hold H1-B work visas are described in government documents as "temporary" foreign workers. In fact, many already have spent years in the United States on university campuses, where U.S. tax dollars have helped finance their education. Almost half become permanent residents."

U.S. workers find foreigners filling tech jobs
Fairness of visa rules scrutinized
By Jayne Noble Suhler and Ed Timms Staff Writers of The Dallas Morning News
http://www.cis.org/articles/Katz/katz1999.html