Speech #1050139632

The 1996 Labor Department report shows that only 41 percent of the HlBs presently are computerrelated professions. Another 26 percent are physical therapists and health professionals. It is not only computerrelated people who are presently coming into this country on a HlB visa. 26 percent of them are physical therapists. which is kind of canny to me to think we cant find American health therapists for these jobs? The IGs report also shows that some H1B employers have contracted their employees out to other companies functioning as job shops. companies that hire predominantly or exclusively H1Bs and contract them out. Current law does not prohibit this practice of running these job shops. despite the concern that these job shops are paying the HlBs less than the prevailing wage and have a negative impact on the American workers ability to keep his or her job. The 1996 Labor Department report also indicates that 48 percent of employmentbased. permanent immigration is admitted through the H1B program. and this is a major point I want to make. The H1B program is not necessarily just a temporary worker program. Fifty percent of these workers achieve permanent status and remain in this country essentially forever. This is a big problem. From the CRS report on this issue. dated May 13. 1998. I read the following: In practical terms. the H1B visa links the foreign student to legal permanent residence. Anecdotal accountsAnd I think Senator ABRAHAM mentioned correctly that we really dont know. the recordkeeping in this program is very badAnecdotal accounts tell of foreign students who are hired by U.S. firms as they are completing theix programs. The employers obtain H1B visas for the recent graduates. and If the employees meet expectations. the employers may also petition for the nonimmigrants to become legal permanent residents. through one of the employmentbased immigration categories. Some pollcymakers consider this a natural and positive chain of events. arguing that it would be foolish to educate these talented young people. only to make them leave to work for foreign competitors. Others consider this a pathway program.