Following President Obama’s inauguration speech in which he reaffirmed immigration reform as a priority during his second term, the issue is once more receiving attention from all sectors of society. The economic importance of immigration is becoming increasingly evident, and the predicted dearth of qualified, U.S.-educated internationals (who must leave the U.S. upon graduation in accordance with current visa laws) threatens to leave America with too few qualified candidates in vital industries.Nataly Kelly, from The Huffington Post, recently wrote about the Seven Surprising Ways Immigration Helps Build a Stronger America, pointing to areas, often overlooked, which nevertheless receive a boost from international investment and international workers living in the U.S.From areas such as job creation and an economic growth, to the improvements in multilingualism and global awareness, Kelly makes a stronger argument in favor of changes in visa laws and the relaxing of immigration restrictions that accompanies it. She also points out the cultural and social benefits for the U.S. to be had from internationally experienced thinkers and a globally focused worldview.
“The ability to demonstrate understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds is a vital skill in today’s globalized world. Giving Americans more opportunities to meet people from other countries right here at home helps connect our citizenry to the broader world.”
ABCnews, meanwhile, reports that the tech industry especially is suffering from the loss of eager, trained workers who return to their home countries, or other markets, following the completion of their advanced degree in the U.S. In an article following Senator Marco Rubio’s statement on keeping tech jobs in the U.S., the key solution, it is suggested, is reform – of one way or another. The current immigration system, the requirements for visas, the caps and limits of residency periods, it’s argued, is counter-productive. Talented workers and internationally-minded entrepreneurs with the skills of advanced degrees and the wherewithal to have studied abroad, are being kept out of the U.S. and so, are finding work with competitors.
“In some instances, this is no joke, we are graduating kids with these degrees and these skill sets. We are then forcing them to leave the country and the jobs are following them over there,” he said. “This is crazy.”
A few weeks ago, New York International wrote about the Importance of Immigrants to New York City’s Economy, arguing that rather than threatening jobs or undermining pay, internationals in both white collar and blue collar jobs provide vital investment, services, innovation and entrepreneurship. If the immigration reform debate continues as it has – promising suggestions from business leaders and government – then it can only be a good thing for New York City, for internationals who want to work here, and for the U.S. as a whole – economically, culturally, and politically.Update: April 8, 2013Seyfarth Shaw LLP reports that on April 5, 2013 the quota for H1B visas for fiscal year 2014 had already been met. “This means that USCIS received more than 85,000 H-1B petitions in the first week of filing, and that more than 20,000 of these petitions were filed under the Master’s H-1B cap.” Another example of the strong need for immigration reform and higher caps for skilled worker visas.