FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

February 1, 2012

Contact: Frances Cox

The Fratelli Group

202-822-9491

ACIP Applauds Administrative Reforms to U.S. Immigration System 

Commends the Obama Administration for Recognizing U.S. Businesses’ Needs and Acting to Help Stimulate the Economy

Washington, D.C. – The American Council on International Personnel (ACIP) today applauded the Obama Administration for announcing a series of administrative reforms to improve the high-skilled immigration system for the world’s top talent, and the agencies’ continued efforts to work side-by-side with U.S. businesses to grow the economy and create jobs. 

These administrative actions, many of which ACIP has made the case for numerous times, include:

• Expanding eligibility for extension of optional practical training (OPT) to include students with a STEM degree that is not the most recent degree the student has received. 

• Providing work authorization for spouses of H-1B holders who have begun the process of seeking permanent residency through employment after meeting a minimum period of H-1B status in the United States.

• Allowing outstanding professors and researchers to present a broader scope of evidence in order to qualify for permanent residency.

• • Harmonizing rules for E-3 visa holders and H-1B1 visa holders to continue working with their current employer for up to 240 days while their petitions for extension of status are pending.

• Launching officially the Entrepreneurs in Residence initiative.

“We applaud the President and the agencies for getting beyond the rhetoric and implementing the types of new policies the United States needs for a new world,” said ACIP Executive Director Lynn Shotwell. “These reforms show that the Administration understands that the U.S. immigration system for highly educated professionals must be modernized so that U.S. businesses can effectively work to grow the economy and create American jobs. In addition to these initiatives, we hope the Administration will continue to collaborate with U.S. businesses on high-skilled immigration policies that will benefit our nation, including the implementation of a Trusted Employer program, to drive economic growth and job creation far into the future.”

Learn more about solutions for job creation and economic growth through high-skilled immigration reform in ACIP’s primer. Learn more about ACIP at www.acip.com. 

The American Council on International Personnel (ACIP) represents employers working to speed U.S. economic recovery, create new jobs for all Americans and advance American innovation. Our members are companies, universities, research institutions and organizations that employ the critical talent that has and will continue to build the U.S. economy and raise the standard of living for all Americans. We build the workforces necessary to keep America on the cutting edge of worldwide innovation and leading the global economy. Learn more at www.acip.com.

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