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Speak out on H-1B
We need to let Congress know to reform the H-1b visa program.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Reform the H-1b program to create U.S. jobs
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Dear Representative:
I am writing to express my deep concern about the continued corporate abuses that are taking place regarding the H-1b and L-1 visa programs. These programs allow skilled technical professionals to enter the country on a temporary basis. However,today they are no longer filling spot labor market shortages, or management training needs, but are used to displace domestic high-tech employees.
Recently, WashTech/CWA Local 37083 published a news story about Texas Instruments firing a U.S. employee in favor of hiring an H-1b visa worker after the U.S. employee exercised his democratic rights and asked to see the company's H-1b certifications. This story is a concrete example of the labor abuses taking place, and points to a deepening crisis in these loosely regulated H1B and L1 visa programs.
According to the story, a Department of Labor investigator sees Texas Instruments actions as "brazen" in favoring foreign-based visa workers over domestic employees.
Furthermore, the Office of the Inspector General lists foreign labor certification as a significant concern, which may result in the unlawful admission of foreign nationals and economic hardship for domestic workers.
This story and government reports show that the corporate lobbyists claims that the U.S. faces a shortage of skilled technical workers are not supported by the facts.
I am not resentful of individual workers seeking their future here in the United States. I am alarmed, however, at U.S. corporations dismissing or failing to hire domestic labor so that they can have better control over their work force by hiring foreign labor. I have heard of other practices of corporate visa fraud for instance using tourist visas to bring in foreign labor.
Like offshoring, the "inshoring" of workers undermines the economic viability of the middle- and working-class of this country.
I urge you to take steps to regulate these visa programs.
Sincerely,
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