1/4/2017 Latest on H-1B under Trump @CIOdive

[MrDexter]

Ending the program abuse

Russ Harrison, government relations director for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), which claims a membership of 200,000 engineering, computing and IT professionals, says his organization is optimistic the Trump administration will make some changes to the H-1B program quickly.

"In the short run, we're hoping President Trump will make some quick executive level changes to the H-1B program to eliminate some of the worst abuses," Harrison said. "We hope he’ll then support some reforms in Congress that will move us toward an ideal situation."

IEEE-USA recently submitted a number of H-1B reform recommendations to Trump.

The primary complaint about the H-1B program, from IEEE-USA members and many others, is that the program is no longer used as it was intended. The H-1B visa program was originally meant to help companies find workers with specialized skills. But opponents claim the program today allows thousands of foreign workers into the U.S. to do the jobs Americans normally do, except for less pay.

"We would like the American economy to stop relying so heavily on temporary visas and start using green cards to bring in skilled talent instead," Harrison said. "This would help stop the worst abuses, where Americans are being replaced by non-Americans."

Some supporters of the existing H-1B program, particularly the tech companies that rely on the program, say changing or restricting it would harm the U.S.’ ability to compete technologically, because there would be less tech talent in the country. Harrison disagrees.

"If we have a shortage of skilled workers in this country then we need immigrants, not H-1B workers," he said.

The reason companies are asking for H-1B visas comes down to simple economics, according to Harrison. "They're trying to save money. They just don't want to pay people market rates."

 

Eliminating the lottery system

IEEE-USA also asked the Trump administration to consider changing the way H-1B visas are allocated. Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts a simple lottery system to determine which companies will get H-1B visas each year. This year, the agency received more than 85,000 petitions — equivalent to a full year’s supply — in just five days. It was the fourth year in a row that requests outnumbered supply in less than a week.

IEEE-USA and several legislators support changing the system so companies that pay the most get first access to H-1B visas. Doing so could eliminate those companies that are simply looking for access to cheap labor. Strong H-1B opponents believe pushing up visa-holders’ wages would therefore make them less desirable to employers.

"If you're paying 50% more than the prevailing wage in a certain job category in a certain city, you probably really need the person," said Harrison. "But if you're paying $40,000 less than the prevailing wage in your city, you're probably just trying to underpay your workers."

As president, Trump could enact an emergency regulation to eliminate the H-1B lottery in time for the annual April distribution, according to Harrison. 

IEEE-USA also wants Trump "to start pushing back against outsourcing through the H-1B program." If outsourcing companies are successfully eliminated from of the H-1B program, it would make between 40,000 and 50,000 new H-1B visas available each year for other companies, according to Harrison

Source: 

http://www.ciodive.com/news/whats-next-for-the-h-1b-program-under-trump/432604/

[princeofheaven]

1 minute ago, MrDexter said:

Ending the program abuse

Russ Harrison, government relations director for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-USA), which claims a membership of 200,000 engineering, computing and IT professionals, says his organization is optimistic the Trump administration will make some changes to the H-1B program quickly.

"In the short run, we're hoping President Trump will make some quick executive level changes to the H-1B program to eliminate some of the worst abuses," Harrison said. "We hope he’ll then support some reforms in Congress that will move us toward an ideal situation."

IEEE-USA recently submitted a number of H-1B reform recommendations to Trump.

The primary complaint about the H-1B program, from IEEE-USA members and many others, is that the program is no longer used as it was intended. The H-1B visa program was originally meant to help companies find workers with specialized skills. But opponents claim the program today allows thousands of foreign workers into the U.S. to do the jobs Americans normally do, except for less pay.

"We would like the American economy to stop relying so heavily on temporary visas and start using green cards to bring in skilled talent instead," Harrison said. "This would help stop the worst abuses, where Americans are being replaced by non-Americans."

Some supporters of the existing H-1B program, particularly the tech companies that rely on the program, say changing or restricting it would harm the U.S.’ ability to compete technologically, because there would be less tech talent in the country. Harrison disagrees.

"If we have a shortage of skilled workers in this country then we need immigrants, not H-1B workers," he said.

The reason companies are asking for H-1B visas comes down to simple economics, according to Harrison. "They're trying to save money. They just don't want to pay people market rates."

 

Eliminating the lottery system

IEEE-USA also asked the Trump administration to consider changing the way H-1B visas are allocated. Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts a simple lottery system to determine which companies will get H-1B visas each year. This year, the agency received more than 85,000 petitions — equivalent to a full year’s supply — in just five days. It was the fourth year in a row that requests outnumbered supply in less than a week.

IEEE-USA and several legislators support changing the system so companies that pay the most get first access to H-1B visas. Doing so could eliminate those companies that are simply looking for access to cheap labor. Strong H-1B opponents believe pushing up visa-holders’ wages would therefore make them less desirable to employers.

"If you're paying 50% more than the prevailing wage in a certain job category in a certain city, you probably really need the person," said Harrison. "But if you're paying $40,000 less than the prevailing wage in your city, you're probably just trying to underpay your workers."

As president, Trump could enact an emergency regulation to eliminate the H-1B lottery in time for the annual April distribution, according to Harrison. 

IEEE-USA also wants Trump "to start pushing back against outsourcing through the H-1B program." If outsourcing companies are successfully eliminated from of the H-1B program, it would make between 40,000 and 50,000 new H-1B visas available each year for other companies, according to Harrison

Source: 

http://www.ciodive.com/news/whats-next-for-the-h-1b-program-under-trump/432604/

Assam

[Android_Halwa]

Well needed H1b reforms.

We really need these kind of reforms to survive for another decade at least or else, in the present situation with so much h1b abusal, one can expect a complete removal of this program.

[MrDexter]

11 minutes ago, princeofheaven said:

Assam

Body shopping chese IT service companies will be shipped to Assam.... if this is implementd..... ALso in the article, Russ harrison IEEE Govt. Relations Dir proposes to grant GC for Highly skilled immigrants than use H1B....

[MrDexter]

Just now, Android_Halwa said:

Well needed H1b reforms.

We really need these kind of reforms to survive for another decade at least or else, in the present situation with so much h1b abusal, one can expect a complete removal of this program.

Andhuke they want to SORT BY on the offered wage and pick top 65K applicants automatically filtering low wage applicants....(decided by comaparing with Prevailing rate in the area)

[princeofheaven]

24 minutes ago, MrDexter said:

Andhuke they want to SORT BY on the offered wage and pick top 65K applicants automatically filtering low wage applicants....(decided by comaparing with Prevailing rate in the area)

yea ade better, do a ranking by salary

[spider_reddy]

It's better to cancel all green cards and h1bs

[Bhai]

 Debbaki deyyam digostundi