Post by blueneck on Jun 12, 2007 4:35:39 GMT -6
Evan Bayh continues to distance himself from his past support of free trade and open borders.
This legislation is another step in the right direction on top of his intellctual property enforcement legilation.
He is proposing to step up and hold companies accountable for hiring US workers before turning to H1B workers, and crack down on fraudulent use of H1Bs, particularly from front companies for outsourcers.
Press Release
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) today proposed legislation that would give American workers the first chance to fill U.S. job vacancies by requiring stronger federal efforts to root out immigrant hiring fraud and by mandating that employers post all job openings for skilled workers on a public job website before being allowed to request foreign worker visas.
“American jobs should go to qualified American workers first,” Senator Bayh said. “This legislation will ensure that U.S. jobseekers are given top priority to fill positions at American companies, while giving employers the latitude to apply for foreign work visas where a true labor shortage exists.”
Under current federal immigration law, employers can seek H-1B work visas for foreign workers only after making a good-faith effort to find a qualified American worker first. However, current requirements defining “good faith” are vague, allowing employers to take out advertisements in a local Sunday newspaper or a limited-circulation trade publication before bringing over foreign workers to fill American jobs.
The Bayh legislation would impose a legal requirement on employers to advertise their openings on a public job website prior to applying for an H-1B work visa.
“It’s ironic that H1-B visas are most often requested by software companies and engineering firms, yet no requirement exists for these companies to post their job vacancies on the Internet,” Bayh said. “Our college seniors are being denied job opportunities because there is no national job bank letting them know what opportunities exist around the country. My plan would address that problem.”
The Bayh legislation would also crack down on fraudulent employers gaming the H-1B visa system. Under current law, the U.S. Department of Labor does not check whether an employer identification number (EIN) is valid when that employer applies for a foreign work visa. Over a three-year period, the Department of Labor has certified more than 1,000 H-1B applications containing erroneous EINs, according to a Government Accountability Office study.
“The Department of Labor’s own Inspector General has described the certification process as a rubber stamp,” Senator Bayh said. “My plan would require quality assurance and quality control to make sure skilled foreign workers granted visas are being sponsored by legitimate U.S. firms. Our H-1B visa program is critical to maintaining America’s competitive edge in the global marketplace, but qualified U.S. workers who possess the desired skills deserve the first bite at the apple.”
Bayh’s proposal is expected to be considered this week as part of the Senate’s weeklong immigration debate.
Source: Office of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh
www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=23718
This legislation is another step in the right direction on top of his intellctual property enforcement legilation.
He is proposing to step up and hold companies accountable for hiring US workers before turning to H1B workers, and crack down on fraudulent use of H1Bs, particularly from front companies for outsourcers.
Press Release
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) today proposed legislation that would give American workers the first chance to fill U.S. job vacancies by requiring stronger federal efforts to root out immigrant hiring fraud and by mandating that employers post all job openings for skilled workers on a public job website before being allowed to request foreign worker visas.
“American jobs should go to qualified American workers first,” Senator Bayh said. “This legislation will ensure that U.S. jobseekers are given top priority to fill positions at American companies, while giving employers the latitude to apply for foreign work visas where a true labor shortage exists.”
Under current federal immigration law, employers can seek H-1B work visas for foreign workers only after making a good-faith effort to find a qualified American worker first. However, current requirements defining “good faith” are vague, allowing employers to take out advertisements in a local Sunday newspaper or a limited-circulation trade publication before bringing over foreign workers to fill American jobs.
The Bayh legislation would impose a legal requirement on employers to advertise their openings on a public job website prior to applying for an H-1B work visa.
“It’s ironic that H1-B visas are most often requested by software companies and engineering firms, yet no requirement exists for these companies to post their job vacancies on the Internet,” Bayh said. “Our college seniors are being denied job opportunities because there is no national job bank letting them know what opportunities exist around the country. My plan would address that problem.”
The Bayh legislation would also crack down on fraudulent employers gaming the H-1B visa system. Under current law, the U.S. Department of Labor does not check whether an employer identification number (EIN) is valid when that employer applies for a foreign work visa. Over a three-year period, the Department of Labor has certified more than 1,000 H-1B applications containing erroneous EINs, according to a Government Accountability Office study.
“The Department of Labor’s own Inspector General has described the certification process as a rubber stamp,” Senator Bayh said. “My plan would require quality assurance and quality control to make sure skilled foreign workers granted visas are being sponsored by legitimate U.S. firms. Our H-1B visa program is critical to maintaining America’s competitive edge in the global marketplace, but qualified U.S. workers who possess the desired skills deserve the first bite at the apple.”
Bayh’s proposal is expected to be considered this week as part of the Senate’s weeklong immigration debate.
Source: Office of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh
www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=23718