NEWS CONTACTS: Eric Thomas (202) 822-9491 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2004

Compete America Urges Congressional Action to Remedy Current Visa Shortage

H-1B Allotment for New Fiscal Year Expected to be Reached Within Weeks

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to all Members of Congress, Compete America today urged immediate action to remedy the acute shortage of H-1B visas allotted for FY 2005, which began today.

Based on new numbers released by the Department of Homeland Security in September, it appears that the FY 2005 numbers will be exhausted within weeks, leaving U.S. companies with no ability to hire highly educated foreign nationals for nearly one full year.

“A logical and immediate remedy would be to exempt foreign students receiving advanced degrees from U.S. universities from the H-1B cap,” said Sandra Boyd, National Association of Manufacturers Human Resources Policy Vice President and Compete America Chair.  “This is a critical talent pool that U.S. business and research institutions cannot afford to lose to foreign competitors. Indeed, we should encourage these individuals to stay.”

In many critical disciplines – including math, science and engineering – over 50 percent of the Masters and PhDs awarded by U.S. universities go to foreign nationals.

These American-trained professionals, who must apply for an H-1B visa to stay in the United States, have a long history of contributing to America’s economic success.  By helping to develop new products and services, conducting cutting-edge research, developing new medical treatments, and enabling companies to expand their client base, they create jobs for American workers and help drive our economy.

While many of the world’s top scientists, engineers, researchers and educators are U.S. citizens – others are not.  Compete America believes it is fundamental to the United States’ economic interest to provide world-class education and job training, and to have a secure and efficient immigration system that welcomes highly-educated and talented professionals to our nation.

“We urge Congress to support an H-1B exemption that would allow the U.S. to retain the highly educated talent trained in our universities, and to help keep and create jobs in America,” Boyd concluded.

A copy of the Compete America letter to Congress is available at www.competeamerica.org.

Compete America 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 highly educated workforce necessary to ensure continued innovation, job creation and leadership in a worldwide economy.

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