Speech #1040139541

Many temporary workers who come here provide unique skills that help the United States to stay competitive in the global marketplace. For example. such workers can bring unique knowledge and expertise to university research programs developing new medical advances and new technologies. As Congress takes up farreaching reforms in legal immigration. it is vitally important that we recognize these basic distinctions. Stronger protections for American workers are needed. But they are not inconsistent with preserving an appropriate role for foreign workers with unique skills. In our subcommittee hearings earlier this month. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich proposed three important changes to our immigration laws on temporary foreign workers. I believe these should receive serious consideration by Congress. Secretary Reich proposed. first. that these employers should be required to make good faith efforts to recruit U.S. workers firstbefore seeking the entry of a foreign worker. Second. he proposed that employers who lay off U.S. workers should be precluded from seeking foreign workers in that field for at least 6 months. Third. he proposed that the length of time that temporary foreign workers may remain in the United States be reduced from 6 years under current law to no more than 3 years. in order to reduce the overall number of temporary foreign workers in the country at a given time. In addition to these three thoughtful proposals by Secretary Reich. the bipartisan Commission on Immigration Reform. chaired by former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. has recommended that employers who request immigrants also be required to contribute to the training of American workers. As the Commission stated in its report last June. To demonstrate the bona fide need for a foreign worker and to increase the competitiveness of U.S. workers. an employer should be required to pay a substantial fee. that is. make a substantial financial investment into a certified private sector initiative dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of U.S. workers. Each of these proposals is worth serious consideration by Congress--both for permanent immigrant workers and for temporary foreign workers. As Congress moves forward in the coming months on farreaching immigration reform legislation. it is essential that we enact stronger safeguards against unscrupulous resorting to foreign workers at the expense of American workers. and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Senate and the House to achieve this important goal. Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent that a recent article from the Washington Post-"WhiteCollar Visas: Importing Needed Skills or Cheap Labor?"-be printed in the RECORD.