Frances Cox or Eric Thomas 202-822-9491 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 27, 2007

America’s Innovation Edge Seen at Risk

In Letter to Speaker Pelosi, Wide Range of U.S. Employers Urge Action on H-1B Visa and Employment-Based Green Card Reform in 2007

Washington D.C. – In a letter delivered today to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, companies and trade associations representing America’s leading innovators urged congressional action this year to reform the H-1B visa and employment-based (EB) green card programs designed to provide U.S. employers with access to highly educated foreign professionals.

The letter stated:

“… highly educated foreign professionals play a significant role in allowing the United States to maintain an innovative edge over its global competitors.  However, our outdated immigration system has made it harder and harder for qualified foreign talent to come to and remain in this country and contribute to our nation’s intellectual capital and economic well-being, which, ultimately, poses a serious threat to our global leadership position.”

The letter precedes the start of the Federal government’s new fiscal year on October 1 – which, for the fourth consecutive year, will mark the beginning of 12 months when no new H-1B visas will be available to U.S. employers.  H-1B visas are temporary visas typically used by engineers, scientists, researchers, medical professionals and teachers as a step towards permanent residency. 

The letter was also delivered to all House and Senate leadership.  A copy of the letter is available by clicking here.  

Compete America (www.competeamerica.org) is a coalition of corporations, educators, 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.