Source:
eWeek2009-04-27
L
egislation wouldn't dismantle the program for guest foreign workers nor does it attempt to change the cap numbers. Instead, the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act takes square aim at employers abusing the program.Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) are continuing their quest to reform the H1-B visa program, re-introducing April 23 legislation aimed at reducing fraud and abuse in the controversial program. The bill does not seek to dismantle the program or change the numerical cap of visas available to petitioning employers.
The two lawmakers introduced similar legislation in the last session of Congress but failed to rally support for the bill. The legislation seeks reforms to increase enforcement, modify wage requirements and ensure protection for visa holders and American workers.
"The H-1B program was never meant to replace qualified American workers. It was meant to complement them because of a shortage of workers in specialized fields," Grassley said in a statement. "In tough economic times like we're seeing, it's even more important that we do everything possible to see that Americans are given every consideration when applying for jobs."
The H1-B program is a temporary work visa program allowing American companies and universities to employ foreign who have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree n a job category that is classified by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to be a "speciality occupation." The program is particularly coveted by the technology industry.
Critics of the program have long claimed U.S. employers are using H1-B visas to hire workers for less than the U.S. prevailing rate, but the controversy gained serious traction after the government released a report that highlighted rampant fraud in the program. The report revealed more than a 20 percent violation rate by employers who use the H-1B visa program.
Read more:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Management/Lawmakers-Introduce-H1B-Visa-Reform-Bill-603449/