Friday, May 12, 2000 - Clinton Highlights H-1B Visas
By BART JANSEN, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Republicans are criticizing President Clinton's proposal to expand a popular visa program for foreigners with high-tech skills because he would also change policy for illegal aliens.
There is a broad consensus in Congress to temporarily increase the number of visas to satisfy the high-tech industry, which contends there are not enough Americans to fill all the available slots.
Clinton's proposal Thursday links the extra visas to two immigrations changes, affecting long-term illegal immigrants and immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti. Republicans said those changes could jeopardize the legislation.
``I just don't see this as helpful,'' said Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., sponsor of one of several competing visa bills. ``I've got to say I'm a little disappointed that the White House is appearing to try and weaken this legislation that is designed to improve our nation's work force.''
H-1B visas for foreigners with college degrees allow them to work in the United States for up to six years. The number of visas is capped at 115,000 this year, but is set to drop to 107,500 next year and 65,000 per year after that.
High-tech industry officials say at least 300,000 jobs are going unfilled for lack of qualified U.S. applicants. Labor unions contend the industry is looking overseas chiefly to hold down wages.
It's an especially delicate issue for Democrats trying to attract financial backing in an election year from the increasingly generous high-tech industry, while at the same time not alienating labor, a traditional Democratic constituency.
Clinton wants to distribute an extra 362,500 visas during the next three years and quadruple fees collected to create a training and education program for U.S. workers.
He also would require up to half the foreigners hold master's degrees or above to ensure U.S. companies get people with the highest skills.
The president wants to attach two other changes in immigration policy to the legislation:
-Nicaraguans and Cubans who now apply for adjustment of their immigration status are given preference over nationals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Haiti because of the political climate in those two countries. Clinton is proposing to treat immigrants from all of those countries the same.
-A new deadline for long-term illegal immigrants to apply for legal residence. Now, only immigrants who arrived before 1972 can apply for legal status. Clinton wants to move the date to 1986, allowing many more immigrants to gain legal standing.
``We feel that this is a balanced proposal that is drawn on the best ideas that have been put forward,'' said Gene Sperling, director of the president's National Economic Council.
When the House Judiciary Committee cobbled together a compromise visa bill this week, the chairman, Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., refused to consider the immigration proposals. The measure removed the cap for H-1B visas and only increased the visa fee by $150.
``The Clinton administration turned its back on American workers and pandered to illegal aliens,'' said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of Judiciary immigration subcommittee.
Clinton's proposal would set a cap of 200,000 visas a year for three years, with 10,000 designated each year for research and higher education.
He would boost the current $500 fee for visas to $2,000 for most companies and $3,000 for companies that depend on foreigners for at least 15 percent of their work forces. Half the extra money would pay for training U.S. workers, 30 percent would pay for educating U.S. workers and 20 percent to improve the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
High-tech industry officials are pleased Clinton wants to increase the visas, but disappointed by the dramatically higher fees.
``That's a bit of a concern,'' said Bob Cohen, senior vice president of the Information Technology Association of America.
