Cruz: I Am a 'Proponent of Immigration Reform' (Stands By Proposed Increase HB-1 Visas by 5x)

Weekly Standard ^ | April 29, 2015 | Michael Warren

[C19fan]

Republican senator Ted Cruz said Wednesday afternoon he is “long-term optimistic and short-term pessimistic” on the question of passing any immigration reform legislation. Speaking with Javier Palomarez, the president of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Texan presidential candidate said he considers himself a “proponent of immigration reform.” But, Cruz added, political leaders should focus on those aspects that have “bipartisan support.”

[grania]

It's a problem that Cruz said this to an Hispanic crowd while hiding his support of more foreign workers taking US jobs. Did he think we wouldn't know what he said?

I want a candidate who says the same message to everyone. I thought Cruz was that person. He isn't. Numbers USA has some more quotes from what he said. It's pretty damaging.

[CatherineofAragon]

"Exactly. People need to actually read and comprehend Cruz’s amendment. ALL of it."

That seems to be too much to expect. They want to read a misleading headline and go off half-cocked, all butthurt and wailing.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’m happy to let Cruz explain his ideas on H1 visas. I doubt he is advocating putting more middle class Americans out of work. I think what he is advocating is making sure that the people who do immigrate here legally are educated and productive and bring something positive to our country.

[jpsb]

120k is a very good salary. I invented our product and founded our company and I only got 80k. I might just have a look at SharePoint, lol. Then again maybe not I dislike coding user interfaces and web sites. I like coding the server side stuff that every one uses to build the application.

Designing the object model and then and building the API/persistent store is my thing. Now if you need a "back end" guy get in touch, if I get to work from home I will make you a deal.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Cruz: I Am a 'Proponent of Immigration Reform' (Stands By Proposed Increase HB-1 Visas by 5x)

Guess I'll be voting Constitution Party next fall.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The less scrupulous corporations, however, regard the H1-B visas as a ticket to cheap replacements for American workers. Will Ted Cruz control how the corporations pick the H1-B visa workers?

[jpsb]

That my list too, Cruz and then maybe Walker or Paul. Cruz had better get immigration right or he will lose me. I don't think we need a huge increase in either H1s or legal immigration. H1s should be used to bring in highly gifted people that will create wealth not just for replacing American workers. There are times when an employer really can not find the skills he needs. Your case might be one of those times. Usually it takes about 3 months to find the skills needed if the skills are not cookie cutter.

My experience with H1s is that from China they are OK, not great just adequate. From India only the best are just OK, if you want an exception programmer hire an American with a proven tract record.

[Georgia Girl 2]

” Will Ted Cruz control how the corporations pick the H1-B visa workers?”

This is the question he will need to answer. I think Ted Cruz is a really good guy so I believe he is not out to put American middle class workers on unemployment. But he does need to elaborate on the point.

[bamahead]

This is the only real beef I have with Cruz. If he clarifies his stance on H1B’s and assures that his position is that it cannot be used to replace American jobs with cheap imported labor, or transferring these jobs offshore, then I will have no problem supporting him.

This is a singular issue with me because I have seen the impact first hand.

[jwalsh07]

Haters gotta hate? What did you do, align yourself with Rachtel Maddow? Screw H1B visas. They are used to coerce American workers to train their cheaper replacements or forgo termination benefits. BS on that and its supporter’s.

[xzins]

This will kill Cruz’s campaign.

[jwalsh07]

I am 63 years old. A business owner for 25 years and now an employee of a small company where the key person is not the owner but me. I am in no danger of ever being replaced by a low priced immigrant, legal or illegal. I back you IT guys 100% on this. It is more CofC bs.

[jwalsh07]

It damn well should if accurate.

[SoConPubbie]

The supposed shortage is manufactured - that’s how.

. . .

IT has changed so much in the past 15 years - you can do more with fewer resources to begin with, so the demand is nowhere close to where it was during the .com boom years. This program is ultimately about shipping IT jobs overseas.

B.S.

I've been in the IT industry for 20+ years. There is a shortage of engineers, depending on the industry. I am in Software Engineering, and the level of job openings has only increased here in the U.S.

And while that all sounds good, where is the proof?

[SoConPubbie]

You're kidding, right? Ever hear of supply and demand? How would you like it if we doubled the number of people in your line of work? Even if you own a business, we could offer visas to people interested in opening a similar business. What do you think that would do to your income?

So I take it you like unions, right? Because that is exactly their approach as well.

And BTW, this is my line of work, IT. I am a software engineer by trade, and have been for 20+ years and the number of job postings has only increased.

[moehoward]

"This will kill Cruz’s campaign."

I like Cruz just fine, but when the dust settles it'll probably be Walker or Rubio. And on the immigration issue any difference between Cruz and them is either exaggerated or fabricated.

[Mr. Jeeves]

they have already told me that i will never have a raise or promotion for the rest of my life because i am not a protected class. so my indonesian wife and i have to be barren of children, a home, and all that...

Since the real message here is and has always been "American Industry Does Not Value IT's Contribution to the Bottom Line Enough to Pay More Than a Bare Minimum For It", why not try changing careers, instead engaging in doom talk?

There is no civil right to work in IT for a 2005-era salary just because you are an introvert who likes to play with computers. When the world changes, you have to change with it.

[JRandomFreeper]

How big is that vote? Meaningful? or just enough to divide?

Yep. Your agenda is showing.

/johnny

[thesharkboy]

So how will a vast increase in the number of H1Bs help you? How will a vast increase in the number of H1Bs help American IT workers? How will a vast increase in the number of H1Bs help young people who would like to enter the field? What’s so special about IT? Should we have a similar program for management? How about one for government workers? How about CEOs? Why not?

[right way right]

You are a hack. The headline at the site says:

Cruz: I Am a ‘Proponent of Immigration Reform’
Accuses Obama of using issue to “scare the Hispanic community.”
5:13 PM, Apr 29, 2015

And on top of that you are only trying to guide an emotional perception and completely dismissing political strategy and hope of true immigration reform starting with actual border control!!!