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Migrating to US? Wait for Frist
The Economic Times of India ^ | December 24, 2002 | URMI A GOSWAMI

Posted on 12/24/2002 12:31 PM PST by sarcasm

NEW DELHI: There might be some good news for the Indian wanting to go to the United States. It seems that US Senator Bill Frist from Tennessee is most likely to take over as US Senate majority leader now that Senator Trent Lott has resigned. Senator Frist has a long history of supporting immigration. This is like manna from heaven, especially since key issues like the reduction in H1-B quota will be up for review in the coming year.

On the H1-B issue, Mr Frist has supported increasing the cap for H1-B immigrants. The slowdown in the US economy has meant a decline in the demand for H1-B skilled workers. This has given anti-immigration law makers, administrators and policy makers in the US to propose that after the AC21 law of 2000 runs its course in September 2003, the number of H1B visas should be limited to the originally stipulated 65,000 visas per year. Given Senator Frist’s history of being supportive of immigration issues, it is hoped that the cap on H1-B, economy permitting, will not be reduced. Indians would stand to gain given the fact that nearly 50% of H1-Bs, even during lean times, are snapped up by Indians. In 2001, Mr Frist co-sponsored a legislation to create new agricultural guestworker programme. While the legislation does not affect Indians at large, it provides a fair indication of the senator’s stand on issues of immigration. Besides immigration, Mr Frist is known for his work on healthcare initiatives. This too could prove a positive signal for Indian doctors aspiring to move to the US. As is known, the US has been experiencing a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. The US administration’s taken several steps to make it possible for foreign medical students to stay and practice in the US. With someone with a history of being supportive of immigration and commitment to healthcare as the US Senate majority leader, chances are that legislations benefiting immigrants will face less opposition.

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As is known, the US has been experiencing a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.

There is not a shortage of Americans applying to medical school. This so called shortage is being manufactured by a policy of having a very low cap on the number of Americans that can be accepted into US medical schools. Looks like Indians will start replacing more than just American IT workers, US doctors appear to be next in line for mass layoffs.