Oppose HR 2688, a bill introduced on July 9, 2003 by Representative Thomas Tancredo (R-CO). This bill seeks to eliminate the H1-B visa program
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Oppose HR 2688, a bill introduced on July 9, 2003 by Representative Thomas Tancredo (R-CO). This bill seeks to eliminate the H1-B visa program
The Honorable full name:
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
I am writing to express my opposition to HR 2688, a bill introduced on July 9, 2003 by Representative Thomas Tancredo (R-CO). This bill seeks to eliminate the H1-B visa program which allows U.S. employers to hire highly educated foreign professionals on a temporary basis. While it is highly unlikely that this bill will gather enough support to become a law, it is cause for concern in immigrant communities. The stated purpose of H.R. 2688 is to prevent 'any skilled worker from overseas to enter the US - so that Americans do not lose their jobs to immigrants'. The U.S. was, is and will continue to remain a nation of immigrants.
The H-1B program benefits the U.S. economy by allowing employers to hire professionals with specialized technical skills or knowledge while protecting the interests of U.S. workers through built-in safeguards. The H-1B program has played an important role for many types of U.S. businesses including biotechnology and healthcare, information technology, and scientific research and development. Examples of H-1B employees include medical researchers, professors, engineers, and computer professionals.
Businesses would not go the extra burdens, costs, and delays of hiring foreign professionals through the H-1B program, if they could fulfill their labor needs with U.S. workers. Employers typically hire employees under the H-1B program because they need the specialized or unique skills that the H-1B professional offers or to relieve temporary work shortages. There are important safeguards built-in to the H-1B program that ensure that employers protect U.S. workers when they hire H-1B professionals; if they fail to comply with the regulations, employers may be subject to investigations and/or hefty monetary penalties. Employers also must pay a fee of $1,000 for each H-1B application, in addition to application fees and other associated costs. Without the H-1B program, it would be impossible for U.S. companies to maintain a competitive edge in the global market. In fact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has pointed out that the U.S. continues to need the H1-B visa program and that we still have needs to hire skilled workers from overseas. Last year, some 79,000 H1-B visas were granted, showing the need for this visa category.
It is my fervent hope that you will not only oppose this measure, but that you will introduce and support more reasonable and favorable bills on immigration issues. As a voting member in your constituency I appreciate and applaud your pro-immigrant position and thank you for your help in fighting such unjust bills as HR 2688. I am confident that you will act in the interest of our businesses; education, research and immigration needs and prevent such a bill from becoming a law. I also support the initiative of the United States Indian American Political Action Committee (USINPAC) together with the various other pro-immigration and pro-business coalitions that have come together to fight this unjust bill.
Sincerely yours,
Your name and address
