H-1B Visas and Congressman Mark Kirk

Letter from Mark Kirk | March 28, 2003 | Mark Kirk

[Mini-14]

Mark Steven Kirk
10th District, Illinois
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-1310

March 28, 2003

Dear Mr. ___________

Thank you for your recent communication regarding the H-1B visa program.  I appreciate hearing from you and understand your concerns on this issue.

Immigration is part of our nation's history and yet it continues to be an ongoing issue that requires balancing often competing view and interests.  As our economy recovers, we must closely review a number of programs, including the H-1B visas, to ensure that further economic growth is not hindered.  At the same time, we cannot close our borders to those who seek asylum by fleeing prosecution.

At times, the United States experiences shortages in key areas necessary to sustain our economic growth.  During World War II, we had a real labor shortage in the machine tool industry necessary to keep up with the needs of our military.  In recent years, there has been a shortage in the information technology (IT) field, one of the engines of our nation's economic growth.  The choice is clear:  send high-paying, hi-tech work abroad to places like "Silicon Glen" in Scotland or the IT corridor in Bangalore, India, or allow key workers to come to the U.S. to keep industries here.  I prefer to keep the industries here at home.  H-1B visas have provided well qualified foreign IT workers to fill critical jobs and allows the U.S. to be more competitive in the global market.

At the request of the 105tgh Congress, the National Research Council commissioned a report in October of 2000 that addressed the concern for the shortage of IT workers.  The report concluded that without H-1B workers to fill IT positions, the high-tech sector would likely slow down.  This is the last thing we want during tough economic times.  The current law limits H-1B visas to 195,00 annually.  In 2004, the number of H-1B visas will decrease to 65,00.  It is likely that legislation will be introduced in the 108th Congress to adjust this number.  The Administration has not indicated whether they will support an increase or decrease.  Before any decision is made, it is critical that Congress closely reviews the need for high-tech jobs.  Additionally, Congress should enhance domestic high-tech training programs for Americans to ensure that we are not reliant upon outside labor sources in the future.  If any immigration legislation comes before Congress, please be assured that I will take full account of your views.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this issue.  Please feel free to contact me if issues of concern to you come before the Congress.

Sincerely,
Mark Steven Kirk
Member of Congress

[Mini-14]

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL 10th) 2nd-term Republican from Illinois.
		Contact Information Web Site: www.house.gov/kirk E-mail: rep.kirk@mail.house.gov Washington Office: 1531 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-1310 Phone: (202) 225-4835 Fax: (202) 225-0837 Main District Office: 102 Wilmot Rd., Ste. 200 Deerfield, IL 60015 Phone: (847) 940-0202 Fax: (847) 940-7143 () Background Information Party: Republican Residence: Highland Park Marital Status: Married (Kimberly) Prev. Occupation: Attorney Prev. Political Exp.: no prior elected office Education: BA Cornell University, 1981; MS London School of Economics, 1982; JD Georgetown University, 1992 Military: USNR, 1989-present Birthdate: 09/15/1959 Birthplace: Champaign, IL Religion: Congregationalist Other Information Term: 2nd First Elected: 2000 Percentage in Last Election: 69% Major Opponent: Henry Perritt Committees:  •  Appropriations PAC Contributions 2001-2002 Election Cycle 1999-2000 Election Cycle

[A. Pole]

The report concluded that without H-1B workers to fill IT positions, the high-tech sector would likely slow down.

Hmm

[NYDave]

There's no particular shortage of workers here. Companies ship work overseas because labor costs are cheaper. They also hire foreign workers here because they work for less. Companies in India, for example, send a few of their workers here who then coordinate with the rest of the staff there. The workers here work for peanuts while they live in group houses or apartments to save on expenses. They often leave their families back in India and work here for months on end. The IT workers in India make about $5000US per year which, according to an Indian friend of mine, is a fortune over there.

Again, I emphasize. There is no shortage of qualified AMERICAN IT folks and there never has been. This is just so much malarky that has been promulgated by US industry to promote the easier importation of cheap labor and justify exporting a lot of IT development work off-shore.

[aruanan]

The report concluded that without H-1B workers to fill IT positions, the high-tech sector would likely slow down.  This is the last thing we want during tough economic times. 

No, Mark. Without H-1B workers to fill IT positions, the industry would be forced to increase wages and benefits to attract more applicants. This would encourage more people from the United States to go into the field. Firing present workers and replacing them with low-paid H-1B workers will make sure that people here won't see a future in the industry. This will result in the ghettoization of an industry that is vital to the U.S. economy and national security by folks whose loyalty wasn't born and bred here.

[sten]

The IT sector in the US is comprised of nearly 6 million people (DoL report for 2000). Since then, almost 1 million American IT workers have been laid off due to the economic climate. During that same time, 1 million foreigners have come into the country to claim jobs under the H1B program, that would normally have gone (or stayed with) Americans. During the last quarter, while America reported a loss of 300,000 domestic jobs, India reported a 25% increase in their IT sector.

The H1Bs are able to stay in the US for 4 years or more, and are able to take other jobs that normally would have gone to Americans. At the same time, these people are taking valuable entry level and junior positions American IT workers require in order to sustain a career into the future. Replacing 16% of the American IT workers, when there are Americans to do the job, is an obvious attempt to export the industry and depress salaries.

On top of this, whole IT departments have been exported overseas (mostly to India). Tech support, testing, and telemarketing are just some of the departments being exported completely. In the past, it was not uncommon for a junior person to start in testing in order to learn the product and come up to speed on the technology. Now, that valuable entry level experience will no longer go to the college grad or the ambitious person trying to make a new start in a new field. This will cause a 'generational gap' in the American IT worker population.

This downward pressure on the IT sector has depressed not only the salaries in the field, but also has had a major impact on local economies. The average H1B salary (supposedly) being paid exceeds $60k/year. That would be almost $60 Billion in salaries going to foreign nationals.

Personnally, as someone with over 16 years of professional IT experience, I know many people that have left the field or been unable to find work. Rates have dropped over 50% and work is slim. Many jobs are just reposts or companies attempting to troll for resumes.

If congress was really representing the citizens, then I cannot understand how applying downward pressure on local salaries is good for anyone, except the corporate executives. The products will not get cheaper ($40 for software? what more do you want?), and the experience lost to H1Bs cannot be replaced. There are no programs to educate people, since that education/training is usually found on the job.

Overall, the H1B program was designed to export the IT sector. It was signed into law during a time when there have been more American IT workers out of work then any other time in the history of the industry. To say that the program will continue due to a lack of domestic labor is just laughable.

H1B statistics: click here

[A. Pole]

If congress was really representing the citizens, then I cannot understand how applying downward pressure on local salaries is good for anyone, except the corporate executives.

Maybe the interest of corporate executives is more important?

[philetus]

Maybe the interest of corporate executives is more important?


What do you mean MAYBE?

[EdReform]

"At the request of the 105tgh Congress, the National Research Council commissioned a report in October of 2000 that addressed the concern for the shortage of IT workers. The report concluded that without H-1B workers to fill IT positions, the high-tech sector would likely slow down."

This was thoroughly debunked in Dr. Norman Matloff's "Debunking the Myth of a Desperate Software Labor Shortage." See section 4.4 The NRC Study on Workforce Needs in IT

Also see the "Essential Links" page at the H-1B Hall of Shame.

[crazykatz]

BIGGEST BUMP EVER POSSIBLE....somebody is making money on this H1B deal... BIG MONEY!!

Whoever thay are they are PARASITES!!! Lowly worm-like parasites, all green and slimy!!!

[Billy_bob_bob]

Dear Mr. Kirk,

It is my duty to inform you that we, your employers, have decided that we cannot afford to continue your employment in your current capacity.

In these difficult times it is necessary to cut our costs wherever possible, and the fact remains that your salary, benefits and eventual pension obligations are ruinously expensive. Therefore we have decided to outsource your position to a new employee we have recruited via the H1-b program.

We will expect you to assist Mr. Raguvutukuru during the one-month transition period we have assigned to the handoff process. Failure to do so will have a negative impact on any subsequent benefits you might expect to receive. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Any further questions you may have will be addressed by Human Resources.

Sincerely,
The Taxpayers.

[EdReform]

Bump

[Risa]

>>BIGGEST BUMP EVER POSSIBLE....somebody is making money on this H1B deal... BIG MONEY!!<<

Absolutely, and I bet, from the dishonest text of that letter, that the little pickle-face himself is making raking in the bucks.

risa

[Risa]

>>It is my duty to inform you that we, your employers, have decided that we cannot afford to continue your employment in your current capacity.... <<

Excellent!

What is really sad is the degree to which the republicans are selling the soul of America. And one would expect this guy's dishonest(uninformed?) response from a Democrat, not a republican.

risa

[Alas Babylon!]

Let me tell you, as someone who does high-tech training for a living, that this is complete nonsense. I teach MCSE, large relational database system administration, and Linux/UNIX administration. We also teach all the latest programming courses (Java, .net, c#, etc).

While most of my students have jobs already and are taking the classes at their employers behest, a significant number are laid-off IT workers trying to build new skill sets, or people trying to just get a better job. These past two years or so have been horrible for these folks. They have the skills, but the jobs are not there for them.

Notice how Kirk states, Additionally, Congress should enhance domestic high-tech training programs for Americans to ensure that we are not reliant upon outside labor sources in the future.

Well, this has been done for the past 5 years or so, and, in fact, my school has benefited from these training dollars by getting grants to train out-of-work IT workers, but the jobs aren't there for them after all the training and effort they put into getting these skills. It is really a shame! Anyone who wants more info freep mail me. I am gathering real-life examples to counter this nonsense about how Americans don't have the skills. More training doesn't help if the jobs aren't there. What a crock!

[crazykatz]

I know exactly what you mean. We have seen some of our friends take training and find no work available in that field IT as well.

There are always security guard jobs for the laid off IT workers.... they usually have clean police records and are not slackers.

So, a couple of guys we know took guard jobs which pay a whopping $9.00 per hour.... and then, if you pay the money for the fees and the training, one fellow said you can make $10.50 as an ARMED guard.

P>WOW!! Great trade off huh????

55 year old man, uses his savings sparing, pays all his bills, keeps his house, lives VERY frugally and works as a security guard because the jobs in his field are all taken by aliens H1B "guest" workers.

Now, just HOW does this help the American economy for highly trained people to be out of work so FOREIGN WORKERS can send money back to their little mamas in the orient, in India or Pakistan!!

[EdReform]

BTTT

[A. Pole]

I am gathering real-life examples to counter this nonsense about how Americans don't have the skills.

Why Indian or Chinese workers would have better skills and experience than Americans?

[Satadru]

I agree that if the industry increased wages then it would attract a lot more candidates. However, who do you think will bear the brunt of the cost? The consumers will. Companies will simply pass on the cost to the consumers. What you are really saying is that American consumers should be paying more for computer products in order to provide jobs for other Americans.