H1-Bs Could Soar

The comprehensive immigration reform bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate includes a provision to significantly increase the number of H-1B visas over the next 10 years.

JOHN ROBERTS Can be reached at (732) 919-1530 or via e-mail at jorobert@cmp.com.

Under this provision, the annual limit on H-1B visas, currently at 65,000, would increase to 115,000 in the first fiscal year if the Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership Act is enacted. Each year thereafter, the limit would increase by 20 percent. In addition, U.S.-educated foreign workers with advanced degrees would be exempted entirely from H-1B visa quotas.

The Senate’s action means a total of nearly 3 million foreigners could be competing with U.S. workers for high-tech jobs over the next 10 years. It is uncertain, however, whether the new H-1B provision will survive Senate-House negotiations and actually become law.

For his part, Ed Solomon, co-owner of Net@Work, New York, would welcome an increase in the H-1B quota. “If I could find people with the right skills and experience in New York, I would hire them,” he said. “But I can’t, so I have to go out of the country.”

Solomon also rejected the argument that an increase in the H1-B quota would increase the likelihood that U.S. technology workers would be passed over in favor of less-expensive labor from abroad. “It has nothing to do with being cheaper,” Solomon said. “They’re not cheaper; they’re just people with certain skills that we are lacking here.”

There is little doubt, however, that by expanding the available pool of labor, the quota increase could benefit solution providers by moderating the pace of pay increases for experienced personnel.

What's your take on the H1-B visa situation? let me know at (732) 919-1530 or via e-mail at jorobert@cmp.com