National Journal, October 18, 2011 - 

 

"With the prospects for a major congressional overhaul of the immigration system looking increasingly unlikely, tech companies are seeking incremental changes that would make it easier for skilled foreigners to stay in the United States permanently.
 

"Tech firms have long argued that they cannot find enough skilled U.S. workers with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to meet their needs, noting that more than half of those who receive advanced STEM degrees from U.S. schools are foreigners.

 

"...In recent years, tech companies have been more focused on making the case that the government should allow talented foreign students with advanced science and technology degrees from U.S. universities to stay permanently, saying they are likely to be the job creators of tomorrow.

 

"...Efforts to revamp the green-card system for skilled foreigners have been linked to comprehensive immigration reform, which has so far gained little traction. Given that, supporters are pushing Congress to act separately on the issue of skilled immigrants.
 

Lofgren introduced legislation in June that would allow companies to seek green cards for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with at least a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. It would also reform several employment visa programs. She introduced another bill this month that would lift the per-country limits on green cards, a move aimed at addressing the backlog of applicants from China and India in particular. House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced a similar bill last month that would lift the per-country green card caps. The panel was scheduled to take up their bill last week but postponed action on it.
 

"...“There should be standards in place,” said Lynn Shotwell, executive director of the American Council on International Personnel, adding that her group would be open to suggestions that students must retain a certain grade-point average or graduate from certain schools. Her group is active in a coalition known as Compete America, which favors efforts to make it easier for U.S. companies to retain foreign talent in the United States. The coalition includes many tech groups and companies such as Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and TechNet."

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