"America needs a 21st century immigration policy," say members of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness
"... To some, the link between immigration reform and economic growth may be surprising. To America’s most innovative industries, it is a link we know is fundamental.
"The global economy means companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth are in a worldwide competition for talent. While other countries are aggressively creating policies and incentives to attract a highly educated workforce, America has stagnated. Once a magnet for the world’s top minds, America now faces a 'reverse brain drain' and is no longer the first choice for many entrepreneurs creating new companies and jobs.
"America needs a pro-growth immigration system that works for U.S. workers and employers in today’s global economy. And we need it now.
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"Silicon Valley offers a good example of the impact foreign nationals make on U.S. innovation – and the arduous process companies must go through to retain them. With 80% of Intel R&D conducted in the U.S., employing people with specific expertise in U.S. facilities is imperative. Right now, there are software engineers in the UK, who cannot come to work in a U.S. Intel facility until visas are available in the next fiscal year. And experts in next-generation mobile technology who must remain in Finland, rather than joining an Intel research and development team in the U.S.
"At Facebook, Javier Olivan was instrumental in creating the technology that has translated the site into more than 70 languages, connecting people and businesses in the U.S. with markets around the world. Despite making a significant contribution to economic growth, Javier was lucky to be able to stay in this country. The year he applied for an H-1B visa, there were 150,000 applicants and only 65,000 visas.
"U.S. employers must look ahead to coming talent shortages and plan their workforce needs years in advance. They need policy certainty from Washington to know they will be able to hire the very best talent to meet the demands of the global innovation marketplace. It is time for Congress and the Administration to pass bi-partisan immigration reforms. In particular, taking quick action to attract and retain science and engineering talent is critical to the growth of our economy.
"Let’s create a pro-growth immigration system that works. Our global competitiveness should not be a partisan debate, it should be a top American priority."