Government Statistics, Data and Research

From the Administration

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
"CIS Ombudsman's 2006 Annual Report to Congress," June 2006
In his annual report on the agency's activities to Congress, the USCIS Ombudsman cited, in a list of "pervasive and serious problems" faced by USCIS and its customers, the untimely processing and systemic problems with employment-based (EB) green card applications.

Council of Economic Advisers
"Economic Report of the President," issued February 13, 2006
This is the President's annual report to the Congress in which he reviews the state of the economy and the economic outlook, and discusses a number of economic policy issues of continuing importance. Among other important findings, chapter two states: "[o]ne way in which the United States is able to maintain its position as a leader in innovation is by attracting the best and the brightest from around the world. Policies that welcome the world's 'best and brightest' can contribute to future U.S. competitiveness."

Characteristics of H-1B Workers

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
"Characteristics of Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B): Fiscal Year 2003,"
issued November 2004
Most recent government report on the makeup of H-1B visa holders and their employers. Finds that applications for education-related services and for health/medical services increased from the last fiscal year, while computer industry-related applications declined during the same time period. Report includes tables, graphs and statistics.

Links to Studies on Trends Impacting Access to Highly Educated Workforce

GAO Report
"Immigration Enforcement: Weaknesses Hinder Employment Verification and Worksite Enforcement Efforts," GAO-05-813, August 2005
This report examines (1) the current employment verification (Form I-9) process and challenges, if any, facing verification; and (2) the priorities and resources of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) worksite enforcement program and any challenges in implementing the program.

Congressional Research (CRS) Report for Congress
"Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs," April 21, 2005
This report provides an analytical framework for evaluating low-skilled guest worker proposals. It contains short summaries of most of the comprehensive immigration reform legislation introduced in 2005.

GAO - Testimony of Comptroller General of the United States
"Human Capital: Building the Information Technology Workforce to Achieve Results,"
GAO-01-1007T, July 31, 2001
Testimony focuses on the federal government's crucial need to hire skilled IT workers: "As is apparent, the need for qualified IT professionals has placed the public sector in direct competition with the private sector for scarce resources. For the second consecutive year, federal CIOs have identified the need for skilled IT workers as their most critical issue."

National Science Board/National Science Foundation
"Science and Engineering Indicators 2004," May 2004
While the U.S. remains the global leader in scientific research and development, along with high technology exports, the future is uncertain, indicates this latest report from the NSB. The biennial study concludes that the shrinking U.S. science and engineering labor force is an "emerging and critical problem" for the U.S., along with competition from other nations that place a priority on science education. For example, the study shows that the United States now ranks 17th among nations surveyed in the proportion of its 18-24-year-olds earning natural science and engineering degrees. In 1975, the United States ranked third.

National Science Board/National Science Foundation
"The Science and Engineering Workforce: Realizing America's Potential," August 2003
This report names two major long-term trends imperiling the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce: 1) The intensifying global competition for S&E talent, such that the United States may not be able to rely on the international S&E labor market to fill unmet skill needs; 2) The decline in the number of native born S&E graduates entering the workforce. NSB/NSF recommends that the U.S. intervene to improve success in educating S&E students from all demographic groups, especially those that have been underrepresented in S&E careers.

President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)
"Assessing the U.S. R&D Development," October 2002
Report to the U.S. President on the "chronic issue" of the human resources inadequacies in science and engineering. Finds that foreign students are a key component of maintaining and improving this scientific workforce.

U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century
Phase III Report: "Road Map for National Security: Imperative for Change," February 15, 2001
As part of their report on making significant change in the U.S. national security apparatus, the Commission recommends increased funding for research and development, as well as increased emphasis on science education in the U.S. The Commission also recommends that U.S. immigration policy be formulated to ensure that the best and brightest foreign nationals stay in the U.S., as competition for these students from all over the world is greater than ever before.

Facts about L-Visas

Congressional Research Report for Congress
"Immigration Policy for Intracompany Transfers (L Visas): Issues and Legislation," January 26, 2006
This report to Congress gives an overview of the temporary visa program, focusing on the L visa and its legislative history. Using the latest U.S. Department of State data, the report gives an assessment of the trends in issuance of L visas and the company procedures for hiring an L-visa holder.
To order a copy of this study, click here.