SEN. GRASSLEY RE-INTRODUCES RESTRICTIVE H-1B BILL

Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and Durbin (D-IL) have reproposed a bill aimed at curbing H-1B usage.  The bill creates an H-1B system that greatly expands the regulatory environment surrounding H-1B visas.  Sen. Grassley's bill makes a number of changes to the H-1B system.

Sen. Grassley believes that the H-1B visa is used to replace US workers.  He has long cited a 2008 USCIS Report as evidence of fraud in the H-1B program.  To date, exactly zero prosecutions have resulted from this flimsy report. 

Sen. Grassley proposed bill sets forth a system where employers would have to register and re-register with various government agencies.  It would limit certain employers from hiring H-1B workers and increase enforcement. 

Sen. Grassley’s bill will surely restrict H-1B workers.  It is not clear that it will help US workers.  Any credible study points out that the H-1B usage mirrors the US employment rate.  The Economist has picked up on this finding.  A better approach is to ask why US workers no longer move for better opportunities, since most H-1B employer’s value H-1B workers geographical flexibility. 

Source: https://www.census.gov/hhes/migration/data/cps/historical/Figure%20A-1.2.png