Speech #1050139654

I yield such time as I might use. Mr. President. as of May 7 the immigration quota for skilled temporary foreign workers was full. The 65.000 visas available each year under the H1B visa category have been claimed. For the remainder of the fiscal yearalmost 5 monthsno more visas are available. The quota filled rapidly this year because U.S. hightech computer companies are bringing in foreign programmers in record numbers. AmerIcas hightech industry is undergoing extraordinary growth. and the demand is high for more workers. so they have turned to the immigration laws to bring them in from abroad. A temporary increase in the immigration quota is justified. We all want to ensure that our hightech industries get the workers they need to remain healthy and competitive. I have always felt that with regard to our immigration laws we ought to. first of all. recognize the importance of families and family reunification. and then. secondly. if they are going to bring in those who have special skills. which is going to expand the American economy. a case could be made for those individuals. They could make thatparticularly in the years of 1980 and as we came into 1990. we are facing the unemployment that we are facing. we did recognize the importance of these special skills that will result in expanding the American economy and expanded employment. That does make sense.