Chaffetz Introduces Immigration Bill
Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act
Washington, DC—Consistent with his commitment to fix legal immigration, today Congressman Chaffetz introduced HR 3012, The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act. House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) joined Mr. Chaffetz on the bill. HR 3012 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants and adjusts the limitations on family visas without increasing the total number of available visas.
The Immigration and Nationality Act generally provides that the total number of employment-based immigrant visas made available to natives of any foreign country in a year cannot exceed 7% of the total number of such visas made available in that year. The bill eliminates this per country percentage cap.
“The current percentage cap has created a backlog of qualified workers. American companies view all highly skilled immigrants as the same regardless of where they are from, and our immigration policy should do the same,” said Chaffetz.
HR 3012 creates a fair and equitable, “first come, first serve” system. Under this system, US companies will be able to focus on what they do best – hiring smart people to create products, services, and jobs for Americans.
Current law prohibits US employers from hiring foreign workers to fill these jobs unless there are not sufficient US workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available. The employment of the immigrant will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed workers in the US. HR 3012 does not change this, but it does encourage high skilled immigrants who were educated in the US to stay and contribute to our economy, rather than taking the skills they learned and aiding our competitor nations.
“I am committed to helping fix legal immigration. Per country limits make no sense in the context of employment-based visas. Companies view all highly skilled immigrants as the same regardless of where they are from—be it India or Brazil,” said Chaffetz. “By removing per country limits, American companies will be able to access the best talent.”
The bill also adjusts family based visa limits from 7% per country to 15% per country.
This legislation is pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-innovation. It is supported by the US Chamber of Commerce, Compete America (a coalition of high tech companies (Microsoft, Google, Oracle, etc.) and various trade groups (BSA, SIA, ITIC, etc.), and Immigration Voice (the leading coalition of highly skilled foreign professionals).
