House Passes Bill That Could Ease Restrictions on Skilled Legal Immigrants
Jan 26, 2012
Houston, TX (Law Firm Newswire) January 25, 2012 – A bill that could ease restrictions on skilled immigrants trying to work at technology companies in the United States cleared its first hurdle in late November, by a U.S. House vote of 389 to 15.
The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2011 strives to change existing law that says skilled workers from any particular country can claim only seven percent of the 140,000 work visas given out each year. By removing the percentage that caps visas per country, lawmakers hope to attract more technology workers to American firms and more entrepreneurs who could start new companies and hire American workers.
“It is a small step on a long journey toward legal immigration reform,” said Houston immigration attorney Annie Banerjee. “But it is wonderful to see that the issue is getting national attention.”
The prospects of legal immigration reform have long been mired in the debate with illegal immigration, which is highly contentious. “I am so glad to see that this issue is getting its own attention by the lawmakers,” Banerjee said.
HR 3012 has been able to find some traction while the majority of politicians continue to discuss border security because business executives in New York and Silicon Valley were vocal in 2011 that something must be done.
Executives from Microsoft, NASDAQ and even New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg all gave speeches begging Congress to act so that technology companies could be free to hire the talent they need to grow their companies.
“Our legal immigration laws put our business community at a strategic disadvantage here in Texas and across the country,” Banerjee said. “Even though this bill is a small step, I support it because it is in the right direction.”
Annie Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer specializing in helping people become United States citizens. The law offices assist in Visas and other legal immigration requirements as well. To learn more, visit http://www.visatous.com.
Law Offices of Annie Banerjee
131 Brooks Street, Suite #300
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
Phone: (281) 242-9139
