H-1B operation has not kept pace with country’s needs: U.S. commentator

The H-1B visa programme is the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians.

The operation and implementation of H-1B visas, the valuable component of the U.S. immigration system since 1990, has not kept pace with the country’s needs, an American political commentator told lawmakers, underlining that expansion of high-skilled immigration will boost economic growth and expand American businesses.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The H-1B visa programme is the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians.

“In 2005, 85,000 visas were available. Today, nearly 20 years later, 85,000 visas are available. There are many promising options for expanding skilled immigration,” Mia Love, a former Republican Congresswoman, top political commentator and national outreach director of Utah University, said during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Testifying before the subcommittee on immigration, citizenship and border safety which held a hearing on strengthening the workforce, Love said research suggests an expansion of high-skilled immigration will boost economic growth, expand American businesses, and provide more opportunities for the most disadvantaged Americans.

“According to the research by the Centre of Growth and Opportunity, H-1B visa has been a valuable component of the US immigration system since 1990, but its operation has not kept pace with the country's needs,” she said in response to a question.

The former Republican Congresswoman stressed that worker shortage is fuelling record-high inflation being experienced by the country today.