H.R. 5630 would modify certain requirements with respect to H-1B nonimmigrants.
Detailed Summary
Innovation Employment Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase the annual H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) cap from 65,000 to 130,000 starting in FY2008.
Provides that for FY2010-FY2015 if the cap has been reached in the prior year the current cap would increase to the greater of 180,000 and the limitation applicable for the previous year increased by 20% percent.
Exempts from H-1B caps an alien who has earned a master's or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment.
Establishes a 20,000 annual cap for aliens who earned a master's or higher degree from an institution of higher education outside of the United States in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such education as a condition for employment.
Revises H-1B provisions to: (1) require an employer to provide specified job information in the employment advertisement; (2) authorize the Secretary of Labor to initiate an H-1B employer investigation; (3) increase employer penalties; and (4) provide whistleblower protections.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/14/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
weaver
April 7, 2008, 2:06pm (report abuse)We need to separate the "U.S. Producers of Finished Goods" from the business that specialize in "Business Process Outsourcing."
Most of these BPO's are not American Corporate Citizens and there is no reason to offer these corps. enhanced work-permits (L-1 and H-1B) meant for American companies.
BPO's should be required to use the B-1 visa for short-term product installation and training only.
The H-1B (and L-1) visa programs are broken on the enrollment side.
As currently administered, the two systems simply assist in pushing careers offshore.
deb
April 10, 2008, 9:57am (report abuse)With 80,000 jobs lost by us citizens in the last month, reserving more jobs for non citizens is disgusting and unconscionable. Foreign companies have no need for these visas, they are just using it to get free training for their workers so they can take the whole job back to their country.
PG
April 12, 2008, 11:58am (report abuse)If the bill is limiting the use of H1s to only US based companies or rather US headquartered companies then probably even the 65000 cap will be enough. On the other hand it does raise a WTO issue. If the US discriminates against non US headquartered companies in the sale of services then say France could charge higher sales taxes on Boeing planes than on Airbus planes or India could charge higher taxes on Coca Cola than a local cola drink.
Kr
April 18, 2008, 6:41pm (report abuse)In my View this will improve economy indirectly. Sense of security to highly paid employees will result in increased spending. Especially in housing sector.
andy
April 18, 2008, 7:08pm (report abuse)80,000 Jobs lost by us citizens..
how many Doctors
how many Scientists
how many Nurses
how many with advanced degrees
how many with MBA's
susan
August 19, 2008, 11:56pm (report abuse)Remember the H1B visa program is not only for the IT sector. America is in urgent need of educators (math, science, foreign languages)and health care professionals too. These sectors benefit from this working visa program as well.
LL
September 29, 2008, 3:54pm (report abuse)This bill not only help retain jobs here but also prevents outsource in bio, physics, and engineering fields.
RNBrown
October 21, 2008, 8:06am (report abuse)Massive influx of cheap off-shore IT workers will adversely impact wages and job opportunities for US based IT workers.