Trump effect? Bill targeting H1B visas reintroduced in US Congress ($100K minimum salary)

Live Mint ^ | January 5, 2017 | Lalit K. Jha, The Press Trust of India

[2ndDivisionVet]

A bill backing key changes in the H1-B programme that allows skilled workers from countries like India to fill high-tech jobs in the US has been re-introduced in the US Congress by two lawmakers who claim that it will help crack down on the work visa abuse.

The ‘Protect and Grow American Jobs Act’ makes important changes to the eligibility requirements for H1-B Visa exemptions was re-introduced on Wednesday by Republican Darrell Issa and Scott Peters—both from California. The bill among other things increase the minimum salary of H-1B visa to $100,000 per annum and eliminate the masters degree exemption.

The legislation, they argued, will help crack down on abuse and ensure that these jobs remain available for the best and brightest talent from around the world. The bill comes after a number of companies—Disney, SoCal Edison and others—have come under fire for abusing the H1B Visa programme to replace American workers with foreign workers.

“In order for America to lead again, we need to ensure we can retain the world’s best and brightest talent. At the same time, we also need to make sure programs are not abused to allow companies to outsource and hire cheap foreign labor from abroad to replace American workers,” Issa said. “The legislation we’re introducing today does both. It will ensure that our valuable high-skilled immigration spots are used by companies when the positions cannot be filled by the existing workforce,” Issa said.

By raising the salary to a level more in-line with the average American salary for these positions, it would help cut down on abuse by removing the profit incentive and ensuring these positions remain available for companies who truly need them, a media release said....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Comments?

[W.]

Load of shit. Like American techies can’t fill those positions. Work is work, dammit!

[Waryone]

Just as Trump wants to place a tariff on goods brought in that should have been made here, there should be a tariff on employees brought in that should have been hired here.

[NonValueAdded]

I hope that this passes but I would like to know what department issues the degree exemptions and reviews the “need.”. Because the Disney example was Bravo Sierra and should never have been issued.

Another abuse is that the visa ID not transferrable, so the worker is a slave. Again using the Disney as a hypothetical, if the worker is abused and wants to quit they are screwed, having to leave the country.

[thoughtomator]

The minimum is too low, but it’s a step in the right direction.

The right FIRST step, however, is to prosecute those who have been blatantly flouting even the ridiculously trivial requirements of the current law - because it doesn’t matter what the law is, if no one fears enforcement.

[RedWulf]

Best thing I’ve heard of in years on the H1B front.

[thoughtomator]

> ...if the worker is abused and wants to quit they are screwed, having to leave the country.

One less deportation, then. Works for me.

Any worker who doesn’t have the power to defend themselves against abuse shouldn’t be getting the H1-B anyway. That visa is supposed to be for people who possess enough skills to provide independent economic leverage, not a charity amnesty program for people who can’t get any other job here.

[grania]

I like it. That $100,000 is high enough to change the culture so that entry level jobs will go to US citizens. The other necessary provision is enforcement of provisions against employers who don’t follow laws to protect US workers.

[Fhios]

Who will this effect the most? I think Indian H1B visas are abused so I think its India.

[Eisenhower Republican]

This has been needing to happen for awhile. Minimum is still about $50k too low, but it’s a start.

[Organic Panic]

We either want top imported talent or we don’t. If this law passes Trump needs to admit no foreign workers, regardless. And give up the “if they come here legally” meme. I am in an industry that has H1B talent from all over the world. In an environment where US colleges are turning out American snowflake crybullies that know absolutely nothing there is a reason, and it is not always pay, we import qualified immigrants.

Yes, some companies abuse the system. But that is mostly coding companies. My industry, aviation, it is dead without imported talent.

And for those who will throw arrows at me you try working with an Embry Riddle graduate.

[Seattle Conservative]

In our area there are a lot of people coming from India, but there are also quite a few from China and some from Russia.

[House Atreides]

“The minimum is too low....”
******************************************
I agree, it IS a good idea but the minimum should be closer to $175K, IMHO.

[fireballxl5]

The H1B employee can change employers, but he/she must have a new employer apply to take over the sponsorship. They can do this without leaving the country. It is not easy, but if the worker is specially qualified, as they should be, there are employers who will take them on.

[Snowybear]

I support this 1,000%. As a software engineer (30 years) I fight this all the time when trying to get work, like I did when I got laid off in March of last year. Fortunately my skills and luck was with me and I landed a job at the best employer I’ve ever worked for.

[Titan Magroyne]

bmfl

[Rome2000]

There is NO JOB that these foreigners are doing that can’t be done by American workers with on the job training.

NO H1-B VISAS PERIOD.

AMERICA FIRST!!!!!!

[Vigilanteman]

I am not sure if a $100k salary is the correct number, but it is certainly the right idea. Set it at a reasonable level so companies can still hire the best and the brightest worldwide but still high enough that they can’t make a game of replacing American workers to save money.

[Liz]

ACTION NOW---Capitol Switchboard 1-866-220-0044

FIRE DHS SECY JEH JOHNSON (right)---failure to protect ntl security
FIRE LEON RODRIGUEZ USCIS head (left)---mismanaging visa enforcement

REFERENCE---Obama's hand-picked henchman, USCIS' Leon Rodrigues, is rubber-stamping felons and diseased illegals into the country. Rodriguez also oversees the infamous EB-5 visa program. Under Obama/Rodrigues' purview---EB-5's are said to involve major threats to US national security:

NEED TO KNOW----ARE OBAMA/RODRIGUES SELLING US CITIZENSHIP TO:

<><> (a) MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS,

<><>(b) ISIS TERRORISTS,

<><> (c) FOREIGNERS SEEKING THE OVERTHROW OF THE US GOVT.

Rodriguez's confirmation hearings revealed he was a board member of Casa Maryland---a Third World pressure group pushing for unlimited immigration on behalf of foreign governments. Rodrigues also has connections to foreign pressure groups across the nation.

==================================================

REFERENCE Circa 2012, Sen Charles Grassley (Repub-Iowa) exposed the DHS-USCIS visa program--Sen Grassley said ICE identified key vulnerabilities in EB-5 visas:

1) Export of sensitive technology/economic espionage.

2) Use by foreign government agents/espionage.

3) Use by terrorists.

4) Investment fraud by regional center.

5) Investment fraud by investors.

6) Fraud conspiracies by investors and regional center.

7) Illicit finance/money laundering.

Rodriguez's expedited visa consideration came despite warnings from career USCIS officials that applicants had (1) forged paperwork, (2) tried to conceal the sources of their investment, and, (3) in one case, had ties to a child pornography business.

=================================================

FREEPER ACTION NOW

CONTACT FBI TIPS PAGE WEB SITE---YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS---https://tips.fbi.gov

<><> Taxpayers demand Rodriguez, USCIS, Cong Luis Guttierez, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, La Raza, Casa Maryland, and other foreign pressure groups, be investigated.

<><> Supboena official filings, phone records, emails, snail mail copies, hard drives, bank accounts, checking accounts, credit cards, debit cards, wire transfers, social media contacts, and the like.

<><> Taxpayers demand to know if govt factorum Leon Rodriguez, and the aforementioned tax-funded groups, (1) are consorting with violent organizations advocating the overthrow of the US govt, (2) and/or are paid agents of foreign governments.

<><> TAXPAYERS demand to know who these people are communicating with, and who is directing their activities.

CONTACT FBI TIPS PAGE WEB SITE---YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS---- https://tips.fbi.gov

===================================================

If Rodriguez used the US mails to conduct these
illegal activities, he could be charged w/ mail fraud.

REPORT MAIL FRAUD HERE:
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx

[Liz]

PING