Eric Thomas or Frances Cox 202/822-9491 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2008

Compete America Applauds Bill Gates’ Call for Visa Reform for Highly Skilled Professionals

Microsoft Chairman Outlines Need for Better U.S. Education and Worker Training

Washington, DC – Compete America praised Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates for his testimony today before the House Committee on Science and Technology, in which he expressed deep concern about continued U.S. global leadership in technology and innovation.  In his testimony, Gates advocated strengthening U.S. educational opportunities at all levels; revamping immigration rules for highly skilled workers; increasing federal funding for basic scientific research; and providing incentives for private-sector research and development.

“I believe there are two urgent reasons why we should be deeply concerned that our advantages in science and technology innovation are in danger of slipping away.  First, we face a critical shortfall of skilled scientists and engineers who can develop new breakthrough technologies.  Second, the public and private sectors are no longer investing in basic research and development at the levels needed to drive long-term innovation,” Gates stated in prepared remarks.  He continued:

“Congress’ failure to pass high-skilled immigration reform has exacerbated an already grave situation.  For example, the current base cap of 65,000 H-1B visas is arbitrarily set and bears no relation to the U.S. economy’s demand for skilled professionals… For fiscal year 2008, the supply of H-1B visas ran out on April 2, 2007, the first day that petitions could be filed and six months before the visas would even be used.  Nearly half of those who sought a visa on that day did not receive one…

“As a result, many U.S. firms, including Microsoft, have been forced to locate staff in countries that welcome skilled foreign workers to do work that could otherwise have been done in the United States, if it were not for our counterproductive immigration policies.  Last year, for example, Microsoft was unable to obtain H-1B visas for one-third of the highly qualified foreign-born job candidates that we wanted to hire.

“If we increase the number of H-1B visas that are available to U.S. companies, employment of U.S. nationals would likely grow as well.  For instance, Microsoft has found that for every H-1B hire we make, we add on average four additional employees to support them in various capacities.  Our experience is not unique.  A recent study of technology companies in the S&P 500 found that, for every H-1B visa requested, these leading U.S. technology companies increased their overall employment by five workers.”

To address the shortage of highly skilled professionals, Gates called on Congress and the Administration to take the following steps:

1. Extend the Optional Practical Training (OPT) period for foreign students graduating from U.S. universities from 12 to 29 months.
2. Create a streamlined path to permanent resident status for highly skilled workers.
3. Increase the cap on visas for highly skilled professionals.
4. Significantly increase the number of employment-based green cards, and rescind per-country limits.

“I believe this country stands at a crossroads.  For decades, innovation has been the engine of prosperity in this country.  Now, economic progress depends more than ever on innovation.  And the potential for technology innovation to improve lives has never been greater.  If we do not implement policies like those I have outlined today, the center of progress will shift to other nations that are more committed to pursuit of technical excellence.  If we make the right choices, the United States can remain the global innovation leader that it is today,” Gates concluded.

Mr. Gates’ testimony was just one component of a broad effort of many companies and associations to bring attention to the vital need for reform to the H-1B visa and EB green card programs.  CEOs and other executives from Business Roundtable, the Business Software Alliance, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, and TechNet are all in Washington this week to advocate for Congressional action on these and other issues.

A copy of Mr. Gates’ testimony is available at www.competeamerica.org. 

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.

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