May 17, 2000
Dear Mr. ,
Thank you for your letter urging me to oppose legislation to increase the number of temporary work visas allotted to highly skilled foreign workers under the H-IB program.
I understand your reservations about expanding the H-1B program, and have worked against all previous attempts to increase the H-1B ceiling. Various bills are currently pending in Congress to raise the H-1B cap. They offer differing approaches to H-1 B reform and it is too early to predict how Congress will proceed.
I am opposed to raising the H-1B cap for several reasons. The government has identified fraud in the program and there is no compelling evidence of a labor shortage. High-tech firms laid off more than 140,000 Americans last year while simultaneously lobbying Congress to increase the H-IB cap. I am also troubled by reports of age discrimination against middle-aged American computer programmers. I believe the high demand reflects a preference for foreign workers and the cheaper foreign labor H-1B visa holders represent.
If a high-tech labor shortage truly exists, our priority should be to improve the skills of American workers, not turn to foreign labor. We must also examine our immigration policy in its entirety. We admit almost one million legal immigrants annually with no regard to their education and skills. Approximately 35 percent of legal immigrants lack a high school education. Conversely, 90 percent of new jobs in the next century will require more than a high school diploma. The answer to America's labor needs cannot be found in cursory immigration increases. Instead, we must improve our immigration system so that it reflects America's changing economy.
Again, thank you for writing. You may be certain that I will continue to monitor the H-1B bills as they advance. If an increase is imminent, I will work to ensure that the legislation contains the necessary safeguards to stop companies from displacing American workers with foreign labor.
Sincerely,
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