New Obama Action Could Increase Permanent Work Permits to Foreign Workers Above Congressionally-Approved Levels
High-skilled Americans
Repackaging Claims of Economic Boon from Excessive Immigration
Immigration does “grow the economy” and highly-skilled immigrants do contribute more in taxes than they receive in direct government services (education, healthcare, entitlements, etc.). It would be very difficult to find an economist who disagreed with the above statement.
DHS Asks for a 3 month extension for the STEM OPT Program
The Department of Homeland Security has asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to extend the termination of the current STEM OPT program from February 12, 2016 to May 10, 2016 in an effort to review the 50,500 comments it received on the replacement regulation. DHS estimates that over 85 percent of the comments are unique and must receive responses before a final rule can be published.
International Student Enrollment Up 8%
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released their annual SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) by the Numbers report that shows the number of foreign students enrolled in U.S. has risen by eight percent since 2014. According to the web-based system SEVIS there are 1.2 million international students using the F-1 (academic) or M-1 (vocational) visas in the U.S.
17- Month OPT Extension Set To Expire
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program’s 17-month extension for foreign STEM students will expire on February 12, 2016 unless the Department of Homeland Security asks a federal district court for an extension. The program allows foreign students to work in the United States for a short period of time after graduation to gain experience before returning to their home country, but the extension was put on hold by a federal court earlier this year.
Sens. Cruz and Sessions introduce strong H-1B reform bill
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) have introduced the American Jobs First Act, S.2394, that would make dramatic improvements to the H-1B visa program, including the establishment of a minimum salary and the creation of a cooling off period that would prevent employers from using the program within two years of employee strikes, lay-offs, furloughs, or other types of non-voluntary, not-for-cause dismissals. The legislation would also end the visa lottery.
Sens. Grassley, Durbin Introduce New Bill To Limit H-1B Visa Abuse
Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced S.2266 on Tuesday that would limit the abuse of the H-1B visa, especially by bigger tech companies. The bill comes as a response to companies such as Disney and Toys 'R' Us laying off American workers and replacing them with cheaper, foreign workers.
GAO Report Shows OPT Program Not Being Held Accountable By ICE
In February 2014, the Government Accountability Office published a report that found the Optional Practical Training program was operating with nearly no ICE oversight. Among some of the problems identified by the GAO was systematic fraud perpetrated by Designated School Officials (DSO), the high risk of overstays by individuals after their OPT expires, and over a quarter of OPT workers in food and retail service jobs whose occupation is not related to their field of study.
Jenks: Trade Deal Will Have 'Massive' Impact on Immigration
After reviewing the just-released text of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal Rosemary Jenks, NumbersUSA’s Government Relations Director, told Breitbart News “there is no question… that TPP impacts immigration in a massive way.” This is contrary to statements by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., prior to ascending to the speakership.
Former Disney employees speak out about the outsourcing of high-tech jobs
Crowdfunding immigration reporting that crowds out American workers
The San Francisco Chronicle and The Nation are headlining a series of crowdfunding campaigns to sponsor new immigration reporting through Beacon, which is offering $3 million in matching grants.
Meritocracy and Diversity in Silicon Valley Debated
There's an interesting conversation happening on Tech Raptor about Silicon Valley.
In "There Is No Diversity Crisis In Tech," Brian Hall writes:
Data Shows More 'Educated' Immigrants, Fewer Skilled U.S. Residents
In an article published on National Review’s website on September 29, Reihan Salam noted the transformation brought about by post-1965 immigration, and he understands why much attention has been paid to the changing demographics of the country. But his argument is that the “far more consequential effect of the post-1965 wave has been the increase in the number of U.S. residents with low levels of literacy and numeracy (i.e.
Speaker Boehner to Resign Leaving Checkered Immigration Legacy
Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced this morning he will resign from Congress at the end of October. The Speaker leaves behind a long history of pressing his caucus to legalize illegal aliens and increase already historically-high legal immigration levels. This, and his lack of interest in fighting President Obama’s executive amnesties, led to some of the biggest clashes within the House Republican Caucus.
Federal Court Rules Against DHS In Favor Of American Workers
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against DHS in a lawsuit over the regulation that allows non-student foreign labor to compete with American workers.
Another Company Forces Laid Off Employees to Train Foreign-Worker Replacements
In a continuation of a troubling trend, a Florida based company was found to be replacing American IT workers with foreign-workers this week. Catalina Marketing has replaced about 50 IT workers in favor of H-1B visa holders from one of the largest outsourcing firms used by companies in the U.S., Mindtree.
Senate Sends President Obama Fast-Track Trade Deal Legislation
The Senate on Wednesday voted 60-38 to send President Obama Trade Promotion Authority legislation that would facilitate passage of trade deals such as the Trans Pacific Partnership. Congress needs more time to clear related bills, including one that would establish trade negotiation objectives that seek to ensure trade deals will not change U.S. immigration law or expand access to visas.
After House Passage, Trade Promotion Authority Faces Senate Hurdles
Using procedural sleight-of-hand, the House passed Trade Promotion Authority legislation that would facilitate the passage of trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and could lead to guest worker increases without congressional input. The measure now moves to the Senate, where it could face a filibuster during debate next week.
Republican Leaders Seek Another Trade Promotion Authority Vote
After failing last week to pass a package of legislation that tethered fast-track trade authority with aid to workers displaced by trade deals, the House plans to try again, possibly on Thursday, to move the legislation separately with assurances that both will become law. Roll Call reports the House Rules Committee is meeting today to adopt a rule that would govern floor debate on the measures.
Immigration Concerns Unresolved as House Begins Series of Trade Legislation Votes
A complicated series of votes on trade legislation will begin today, culminating in Friday votes on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation and the so-called Customs bill that contains the unsatisfactory immigration “fix.” The process is designed to placate Democratic and Republican Members who would otherwise vote against TPA, but the strategy is risky for House Republican leaders.
Trade Deal Immigration 'Fix' Falls Short
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, secured an agreement from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., to add new trade negotiation objectives to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act that seek to ensure that trade deals will not change U.S. immigration law or expand access to visas. However this immigration "fix" does not allay the concerns of other Republicans who say the bill, which is separate from Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, may not be signed into law and worry that a trade "living agreement' can be changed without recourse after congressional consideration.
Chairman Grassley: Administration Plans to Expand Optimal Practical Training Program 'Irresponsible and Dangerous'
Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked DHS to reconsider regulations that would allow foreign students with degrees in STEM fields up to six years of post-graduation employment under the Optimal Practical Training Program. Sen. Grassley said the proposal is “irresponsible and dangerous considering the Government Accountability Office report issued in March 2014 finding that the program was full of inefficiencies, susceptible to fraud, and that the Department was not adequately overseeing it.”
TPA 'Safeguards' Won't Protect American Workers
Proponents of Trade Promotion Authority legislation say built-in “safeguards” will allow Congress to protect American workers from the adverse impacts of immigration provisions in trade deals. But they know these safeguards are mere window dressing when a president refuses to be bound by the law and has latitude under a “living agreement” such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) to change the deal without further congressional approval.
Court Denies Laid-Off Tech Workers’ Injunction Request in Obama Guest Worker Program
A federal district court denied an injunction request by technology workers under President Obama’s guest-worker program for spouses of H-1B visa workers. The plaintiffs, Save Jobs USA, said citizens would lose out jobs to the new guest workers but Judge Tanya Chutkan denied them an injunction, saying plaintiffs could not demonstrate the guest workers would directly compete with them for jobs. The merits of the case have yet to be decided.
Before you blame an immigrant, would you blame an unemployed college grad?
Neil Irwin of The Upshot says a variety of factors have likely resulted in less-educated workers getting hammered, including workers moving from shrinking industries to growing ones:
Report: Disney IT Restructuring Favored Foreign Guest Workers Over Americans
Computerworld’s Patrick Thibodeau examined a restructuring of IT operations at Disney’s Parks and Resorts division last year and found the company replaced American workers with contractor-based guest workers. The laid-off workers he interviewed said Disney’s restructuring, which the company claims was meant to refocus resources on innovation, was motivated by cost cutting and unnecessary since there was no “skills gap” among existing workers.
Court Cases Could Undo Pres. Obama's Executive Actions on Immigration
While Congress was unable to stop President Obama's executive actions on immigration, a series of court cases that are making their way through the system may be able to do just that. Currently, there are court cases dealing with a wide array of issues, including amnesty and work permits for millions of illegal aliens to programs that hurt both low and high-skill American workers.
Professor Slams 'Sleazy' Closed-Door High Tech Lobbying Briefing
Breitbart News -- Caroline May
A University of California at Davis professor says a closed-door lobbying meeting on Capitol Hill to promote high skilled immigration to the United States was “incredibly sleazy.”
Fast Tracking Trade Agreements Could Abrogate Congressional Immigration Authority
Congress will soon take up “fast track” trade promotion authority legislation that would allow President Obama to submit trade agreements to Congress for a simple-majority vote without being subject to amendment. If passed, the first likely trade deal to come up is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which reportedly includes guest worker provisions Congress could not change.
CIS Report: 'Obscure' Program Hurts American Workers
Documents obtained by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) show that an immigration program described by CIS as "obscure, almost secret" is costing American workers hundreds of thousands of jobs. The program has also exempt billions of dollars from taxation towards Social Security and Medicare.
Bipartisan Coalition Calls for Investigation of H-1B Visa Use at SoCal Edison
A bipartisan coalition of Senators, led by Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), and Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, and Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, asking them to investigate Southern California Edison’s use of the H-1B guest worker program to replace American workers.
American Tech Workers Would Compete With Hundreds of Thousands of New Guest Workers Under Obama’s L-1B Visa Proposal
President Obama has proposed unilateral changes in the L-1B visa program that would bring in hundreds of thousands of new foreign guest workers that would compete with or displace American tech workers. Obama claims his proposal will “benefit our entire economy and spur additional investment,” but it could add to the unemployment lines while doing little to increase foreign investment.
Senate to Consider Immigration Amendments under Budget Resolution
The Senate is considering amendments to the fiscal year 2016 budget resolution under a so-called vote-a-rama that could produce votes on at least 100 amendments. The budget resolution is not an appropriations or substantive bill; it lays out Congress’ spending and policy objectives for a given fiscal year and is non-binding. In the realm of immigration, amendments are expected that instruct Congress to clarify birthright citizenship and massively increase the number of work permits issued to foreign tech workers.
Silenced Workers Who Lost Jobs To H-1B Visa Abuse (Quietly) Speak Out
Silenced workers who lost jobs to H-1B visa abuse (quietly) speak out
BY BYRON YORK | MARCH 22, 2015
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/silenced-workers-who-lost-jobs-to-h-1b-visa-abuse-quietly-speak-out/article/2561856
Sen. Grassley: H-1B Visa Bill 'Only Makes the Problem Worse'
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said a bill designed to increase the number of H-1B visas "doesn’t close the [program’s] loopholes or prevent abuse. It doesn’t make sure that American workers are put before foreign workers. It only increases the supply of cheaper foreign labor."
Southern California Edison lays off 400 tech workers to replace with H-1B workers
Beginning last August, and continuing through the start of this year, Southern California Edison (SCE) is laying off 400 of its tech workers, so they can be replaced with foreign guest workers on H-1B visas. The company expects another 100 workers to be affected. The displaced workers are receiving support from both local unions and some in Congress, including Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).
Worst Argument Of The Week and More Media Roundup
Rep. Robert Aderholt introduced a bill this week to prevent the Obama Administration from granting work permits to people in the country illegally. Greg Sargent thinks House Republicans may not attach defunding language to DHS and writes "If Republicans cave on this, it would be a very big deal."
Lawsuit challenges Obama & GOP thinking on high-skilled immigration
Could we be on the brink of a shift in conventional wisdom when it comes to high-skilled immigration?
"...a federal court has allowed U.S. tech workers to challenge extensions of foreign laborers' status here," reports Kenric Ward of the Daily Signal.
Zuckerberg group urges 'big and bold' action on immigration reform
The Hill -- Mario Trujillo
The pro-immigration group co-founded by Mark Zuckerberg is urging "big and bold" executive action from President Obama — and it wants lawmakers clamoring for it, too.
FWD.us President Todd Schulte called on supporters to push for immediate action by calling members of Congress and sharing their stories.
Profs Slam STEM Worker Shortage Claims, Say Tech Companies Undermine American Grads
Professors from Rutgers and Howard Universities denied claims by the high-tech industry that more guest workers are needed due to a shortage of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) workers and said the industry’s desire for cheap foreign guest workers is cutting off the “upward mobility to the middle class for so many of the working class kids."
Backlash stirs in US against foreign worker visas
By Laura Wides-Munoz and Paul Wiseman -- Associated Press
But amid calls for expanding the nation's so-called H-1B visa program, there is growing pushback from Americans who argue the program has been hijacked by staffing companies that import cheaper, lower-level workers to replace more expensive U.S. employees — or keep them from getting hired in the first place.
This IT worker had to train an H-1B replacement
Computerworld -- By Patrick Thibodeau
This is the story of an IT worker who was replaced by a worker on an H-1B visa, one of a number of visa holders, mostly from India, who took jobs at this U.S. company. Computerworld is not going to use the worker's name or identify the companies involved to protect the former employee from retaliation. For purposes of this story, the worker has been given initials -- A.B. (They're not the person's real initials.)
Feds won’t STEM tide of foreign tech workers
Watchdog.org -- By Kenric Ward
Despite data showing few such labor shortages, Washington has opened the floodgates for foreign job seekers, radically expanding programs to import hundreds of thousands of science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — workers.
The influx of tech migrants — 690,000 by 2012 — is leaving more U.S. workers by the wayside.
CIS: Nearly 8 million STEM degree holders in U.S. not working in STEM fields
A new study from the Center for Immigration Studies asks whether or not there is a shortage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers in the United States, and their resounding conclusion is "no". The report released today and written by CIS researchers Steve Camarota and Karen Zeigler found that there are more than 5 million native-born Americans with an undergraduate degree in STEM, but not working in STEM with another 1.2 million degree holders not working at all. Additionally, there are 1.6 million foreign-born residents with an undergraduate degree in STEM that are also not working in STEM fields or working at all.
Sen. Sessions takes on Special Interests
While most of the media extolled an op-ed written this week by Tea Party Express founder, Sal Russo, calling for amnesty and increases in legal immigration, they missed the extraordinary defense of the American worker by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).
Administration's rule for increasing guest workers hews to the industry line
The Obama Administration has proposed a new rule to grant work permits to the spouses of H-1B holders who "are either the beneficiaries of an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) or who have been granted an extension of their authorized period of admission."
Obama Administration Proposes Work Permits for H-1B-Worker Spouses
The Obama Administration announced a proposed rule that would give work authorization to the spouses of certain H-1B workers, increasing job competition for the 20 million Americans who want full-time work but can’t find it. It does not appear that these spouses will be counted against the visa cap on the category of job they pursue, so the move would expand immigration by executive fiat.
The Myth of the Science and Engineering Shortage
Everyone knows that the United States has long suffered from widespread shortages in its science and engineering workforce, and that if continued these shortages will cause it to fall behind its major economic competitors. Everyone knows that these workforce shortages are due mainly to the myriad weaknesses of American K-12 education in science and mathematics, which international comparisons of student performance rank as average at best.
Tech Firm to Pay $34 Million Fine to Settle Visa Fraud
Indian tech firm Infosys is to pay a $34 million fine to settle visa fraud charges with the Justice Department.
EPI Study: Business Wrong to Claim Need for More Workers
The Economic Policy Institute’s analysis of recent jobs data undermines the common business theme that employers are not hiring because they can’t find enough qualified workers. EPI economist Heidi Shierholz argues there are more than enough unemployed workers in all sectors of the current job market to fill jobs in those industries.
