House readies green card bill for tech
There is a big push to get Congress to allow advanced degree graduates in science, technology, engineering and math to automatically get green cards.
The clearest evidence is from U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, (R-Ark.), who says he is working on his own green card bill with the help of Rep. Lamar Smith, who heads the House Judiciary Committee. Smith is the gatekeeper of immigration issuesin the House.
Smith is sending out immigration reform bills piecemeal. He previously worked with Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) to get legislation approved that would eliminate the per-country caps on the green card.
The Chaffetz bill, once it cleared the Judiciary Committee, won overwhelming House approval, but stalled in the Senate when U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley put a hold on it. Read more...
GOP’s tech visa bill copies Democrat’s bill
A Republican lawmaker has submitted legislation that would make foreign students who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) at U.S. universities automatically eligible for a green card or permanent residency if they have a job offer.
If this bill by U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) sounds familiar, it should. In June, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), introduced legislation seeking the exact same thing.
Indeed, Labrador's bill appears to be a cut-and-paste version of what Lofgren is seeking. Lofgren's bill is HR 2161, and Labrador's is HR 3146.
"It's kind of a novelty to take something word for word out of another bill, but it is probably not the first time it has happen in Congress," said Lofgren, in an interview. She called it disconcerting and said she has spoken to Labrador about it.
The difference is in the scope of the bills. Labrador's bill limits itself to green cards for advanced degree graduates. What Lofgren proposed was more comprehensive. Her bill sought, among other things, green cards for foreign entrepreneurs who invest in the U.S., as well as H-1B and L-1 visa reforms, including eliminating the lowest level of the prevailing wage scale. Read more...
White House ‘clarifies’ H-1B, green card rules to attract investment
The White House is attempting to make it more attractive for foreign entrepreneurs to create a business in the U.S. by "clarifying" H-1B visa and green card rules.
This idea of making it easier for foreign investors to create U.S.-based start-ups has been pitched by lawmakers who proposed "start-up visa" or "founder's visa" bills in recent years.
The White House isn't proposing new visa regulations, but is instead making what it characterized as "clarifying" adjustments to green card and H-1B rules that may make it easier for foreign investors to get a visa. Read more...
A guide to H-1B, green card reform
Unlike with the debt limit debate, there is bipartisan interest in Congress in reforming high-skill immigration. New legislation is on its way, and here's what to watch for.
What bills have been introduced or are coming?
In the House, the most important Democratic initiative is from Silicon Valley's Zoe Lofgren. Her bill will make green cards available to students who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, so called STEM graduates. However, her bill isn't expected to go anywhere.
The person to watch instead is U.S. Rep., Lamar Smith (R-Texas), who heads the House Judiciary Committee. Smith appears interested in some limited immigration changes expected in a bill from Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). This bill, which is due "soon," is expected to call for elimination of the per-country limits on green cards. Read more...
America needs a 21st century immigration policy
President Obama’s recent focus on immigration highlights America’s “broken” system and its impact on our economy. Fixing it requires Republicans and Democrats to show political courage and implement reforms to expand and strengthen the American economy. As members of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, we share his deep concern that our nation’s ability to compete economically is being damaged by the two parties battling over immigration laws and policies. Read more...