this senator has a very valid point. Hire Americans FIRST.
http://technologyexpert.blogsp...oft-to-prioritize.html
Microsoft laid off 1,400 people on Thursday, but 3,600 are still to come. And, as Microsoft moves forward with these cuts, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) told the company this week that U.S. citizens should receive priority over H-1B visa holders.
Grassley has long been a critic of the H1B program, while at the same time, Microsoft, among other tech companies, has wanted the program expanded.
Grassley reminds us in a statement on his website just what the program is meant to do (emphasis mine):
The purpose of the h-1b program is to help companies hire foreign guest workers on a temporary basis when there is not a sufficient qualified American workforce to meet those needs. However, the program is not intended to replace qualified American workers.
Excepts from a letter from Grassley to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer (emphasis mine):
I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan. As you know, I want to make sure employers recruit qualified American workers first before hiring foreign guest workers. For example, I cosponsored legislation to overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to give priority to American workers and to crack down on unscrupulous employers who deprive qualified Americans of high-skilled jobs.Fraud and abuse is rampant in these programs, and we need more transparency to protect the integrity of our immigration system. I also support legislation that would strengthen educational opportunities for American students and workers so that Americans can compete successfully in this global economy.
...
It is imperative that in implementing its layoff plan, Microsoft ensures that American workers have priority in keeping their jobs over foreign workers on visa programs.
...
My point is that during a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work visa program employees over qualified American workers. Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American workforce.
It would be difficult to look at the huge numbers of American workers in the tech industry being laid off that there is actually a severe need for imported workers, yet companies still lobby for an expansion of the program. In terms of layoffs, this week alone, the following tech companies easily come to mind: Microsoft, Ericsson, Bose, Digg, Intel, SEGA, and Clear Channel Radio.
Why do companies want an expansion of the H1B program? For many the answer is obvious: (relatively) inexpensive labor in comparison to U.S. workers.
It is unclear what the Obama administration plans to do with regards to the H1B visa program.
http://technologyexpert.blogsp...oft-to-prioritize.html
Microsoft laid off 1,400 people on Thursday, but 3,600 are still to come. And, as Microsoft moves forward with these cuts, U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) told the company this week that U.S. citizens should receive priority over H-1B visa holders.
Grassley has long been a critic of the H1B program, while at the same time, Microsoft, among other tech companies, has wanted the program expanded.
Grassley reminds us in a statement on his website just what the program is meant to do (emphasis mine):
The purpose of the h-1b program is to help companies hire foreign guest workers on a temporary basis when there is not a sufficient qualified American workforce to meet those needs. However, the program is not intended to replace qualified American workers.
Excepts from a letter from Grassley to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer (emphasis mine):
I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan. As you know, I want to make sure employers recruit qualified American workers first before hiring foreign guest workers. For example, I cosponsored legislation to overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to give priority to American workers and to crack down on unscrupulous employers who deprive qualified Americans of high-skilled jobs.Fraud and abuse is rampant in these programs, and we need more transparency to protect the integrity of our immigration system. I also support legislation that would strengthen educational opportunities for American students and workers so that Americans can compete successfully in this global economy.
...
It is imperative that in implementing its layoff plan, Microsoft ensures that American workers have priority in keeping their jobs over foreign workers on visa programs.
...
My point is that during a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work visa program employees over qualified American workers. Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American workforce.
It would be difficult to look at the huge numbers of American workers in the tech industry being laid off that there is actually a severe need for imported workers, yet companies still lobby for an expansion of the program. In terms of layoffs, this week alone, the following tech companies easily come to mind: Microsoft, Ericsson, Bose, Digg, Intel, SEGA, and Clear Channel Radio.
Why do companies want an expansion of the H1B program? For many the answer is obvious: (relatively) inexpensive labor in comparison to U.S. workers.
It is unclear what the Obama administration plans to do with regards to the H1B visa program.