NEWS CONTACTS: Eric Thomas (202) 822-9491 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2004

Compete America Calls American Workforce Improvement and Jobs Protection Act an Important Step Towards H-1B Relief

Washington, D.C. - Compete America applauded Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) for introduction of the American Workforce Improvement and Jobs Protection Act. The legislation provides an exemption to the current H-1B visa cap for a limited number of foreign students earning master's degrees and PhDs from American universities.

In many critical disciplines, particularly in math, science and engineering, 50% or more of the post-graduate degrees at U.S. universities are awarded to foreign nationals. The exemption in the Smith bill is intended to alleviate a critical problem that is threatening to prevent U.S. employers from hiring a majority of the advanced degree recipients in these fields.

"The H-1B visa remains an important tool for hiring foreign nationals who receive their advanced degrees from U.S. universities. Representative Smith should be congratulated for recognizing the dire situation that has been created by the current cap on H-1B visas," said Lynn Shotwell, Legal Counsel and Director of Government Relations, American Council on International Personnel. "As graduation season approaches, if no H-1B reform is implemented American companies will be unable to offer positions to these students. It is counterproductive for the U.S. to train foreign scientists and engineers and then send them home to compete against American businesses."

H-1B visas are reserved for highly educated professionals in "specialty occupations" - such as engineers, physicians, teachers, and scientific researchers. The cap of 65,000 for FY 2004 was reached on February 17, 2004, preventing any new H-1B hires until October 1, 2004.

"There is a long history of H-1B workers coming to this country and contributing to America's economic success. This drives job creation, and helps keep America competitive," said Sandy Boyd, National Association of Manufacturers Human Resources Policy Vice President and Compete America Chair. "Master's and PhD recipients from U.S. universities are a select group of people, and American business should always have access to this important resource."

Compete American (formerly American Business for Legal Immigration) is a coalition of more than 200 corporations, universities, research institutions and trade associations concerned about legal, employment-based immigration and committed to ensuring that the United States has the capacity to acquire the talent necessary for continued innovation and expansion in a worldwide economy.

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