Higgins, John K. “Immigration Reform Could Open the Door for IT Talent.” E-Commerce Times 2/6/13
John K Higgins wrote an article on the impact that “green cards” and H-1B visa recipients could have on the United States. Higgins discusses how highly-skilled non-immigrants have the ability to improve the U.S. if there visit is made permanent. These non-immigrants are typically those who hold a degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics also known as “STEM” or those who are striving to obtain a degree. Several businesses support the effort because they feel as though H-1B holders with these skills could be beneficial to their companies. The government noticed the proposals, which led to the bill “Immigration Innovation Act of 2013”. Higgins separates his article into three sections titling them “Visa Reform and High-Tech Funding”, “Costs and Benefits for Tech Sector”, and “Congressional Hurdles and Outlook” In “Visa Reform and High-Tech Funding” Higgins goes into details of the bill and how the revenue will promote funding. He also classifies this segment by the related topics within the bill. The bill is designed to initiate the growth of H-1B visas and the access to “green cards” for high-skilled non-immigrants. An H-1B visa is a program that temporarily permits employers to hire foreign workers. The initial time frame their allowed to work is three to six years. In spite of the time period, The Immigration Innovation Act increased the limit for visas to sixty five thousand to one hundred fifteen thousand applicants. If they receive more it will be increased to three hundred thousand, thus enhancing the availability for employment-based green cards. They will also utilize the green card allotments from the past. In addition to the availability they will grant STEM degree holders eligibility to be exempt from annual caps. However there will be fees per employee for enhancing the availability for non-immigrants, although the fee varies between the two. H-1B is $2,500 per employee while green card is $1,000 per employee. Nonetheless, the fee revenue will be used for STEM funding purposes. The revenue will go toward worker retraining and promoting STEM education. During the next section “Cost and benefits for Tech Sector” Higgins came across a senior director who would be affected by hiring an H-1B employee. The senior director looked at the situation as an investment and a cost of doing business. Due to the fact that the fees are significantly high it would cost their company more to hire an H-1B employee than a U.S. worker. Despite the fees, businesses desire employees with skilled talent, which then could lead to financial issues within the organization. Higgins wanted to display how the fees would positively and negatively affect a business. He interviewed Danielle Coffey of public policy at TIA who said "When considering H-1B fees, we think it's most important to remember that the current annual limit on the number of H-1B visas, along with the per-country restrictions, mean that companies simply can't hire the workers they need or that hiring is delayed. This imposes significant costs and inefficiencies on business operations, and it's part of why the whole system needs reform,” Higgins then follows with his closing point titled “Congressional Hurdles and Outlook” by stating “How the bill fares in Congress may depend on how an overall comprehensive package of immigration reforms is handled.” Higgins chooses quotes that discuss The Immigration Innovation Act and how influential it has the ability to be, but the decision lies in congresses hands. Higgins also provided a part from President Obama’s Inauguration speech that may provide a push on the comprehensive reform “If you're a foreign student who wants to pursue a career in science or technology, or a foreign entrepreneur who wants to start a business with the backing of American investors, we should help you do that here.” Higgins expresses that Congresses attention will now be on completing the bill.
Article summarized attachment
A divided Congress may actually unite when it comes to certain immigration reform efforts, and that includes one aspect of importance to the IT industry: paving the way for more highly skilled tech workers to come to the U.S. Proposed legislation could impact the way H-1B visas and green cards are handed out, but the issue may be tied to comprehensive immigration reforms. http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/77241.html Reaction
By the tone of the article I could tell John K. Higgins agreed with The Immigration Innovation Act and was hoping that the bill will be completed very soon. Higgins chose quotes with citizens who could benefit or will be affected in some way by the comprehensive reform. He targeted the main issues such as what the bill consist of and how it could affect The United States. I hope the bill will be completed and beneficial a long with achieving comprehensive reform. I believe if foreigners travel to the U.S. to better themselves they should definitely receive a chance for citizenship.
The non-immigrants here on H-1B visas are typically here attending higher education institutes or working hard for organizations hoping to improve their lives or families. I personally feel as though it is unjust to force the non-immigrants to leave the U.S. if they have lived here making a difference not only in themselves but also making a positive influence in which the lives they come in contact with. It will not just be affecting the foreigners if they leave but the American citizens that depend on them as well. "Our companies strongly support efforts to improve the U.S. research ecosystem, including efforts to permit foreign Ph. D. and Masters graduates from U.S. universities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to remain in the United States," said Grant Seiffert, in one of Higgins interviews. There are a great number of successful foreigners such as doctors, lawyers, professors and more who have made an impact in the U.S. The non-immigrants that are academically achieved or have the ability to improve the country presence should be valued. The knowledge and talent they have could be that inch that a company needs to be successful or be that inch scientist need to find a cure for cancer. I believe President Obama said it best "Right now, there are brilliant students from all over the world sitting in classrooms at our top universities. They're earning degrees in the fields of the future, like engineering and computer science. But once they finish school, once they earn that diploma, there's a good chance they'll have to leave our country. Think about that," he said. "If you're a foreign student who wants to pursue a career in science or technology, or a foreign entrepreneur who wants to start a business with the backing of American investors, we should help you do that here." As United States being for freedom and equality, as a whole they should take in consideration those who have traveled here searching for just that.
The U.S. should also consider the families of the non-immigrants. Most are trying to provide for their families by searching for jobs in the U.S. or attending institutes here so they can qualify for a better job. This is similar to most everyday U.S citizens. America’s job force may have better working conditions and benefits that other countries do not offer. In addition to foreigner’s journey in the U.S., one should take in account to the relationships built with the citizens here. It would be immoral for the U.S. to tear apart families and bonds that have been created. Although the non-immigrants can benefit from the U.S. many American citizens believe they are taking available occupations away. The American citizens believe the foreigners are filling various positions based on the reason that companies can pay them less, which can lead to conflict and controversy between the two. Nonetheless foreigners present new culture, education, and ideas to the U.S. This country is built to be the land of the free with many opportunities and I believe non-immigrants should be able to pursue the same advantages some Americans take for granted.