"Lieberman, Hagel Call for Increase in Skilled Workers to Boost U.S. Economy"

Here's a press release issued Tuesday from the Senator's office:

Lieberman, Hagel Call for Increase in Skilled Workers to Boost U.S. Economy
Senators introduce the Skilled Worker Immigration and Fairness Act of 2007

May 15th, 2007 - Washington, D.C. - Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) today introduced the Skilled Worker Immigration and Fairness Act of 2007 to ensure that America’s innovative industries can hire the workers they need to fuel US economic growth, and to better protect American workers. The bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and George Voinovich (R-OH).

The bill would increase the annual allotment of H-1B visas, which provide American employers with access to highly educated foreign professionals in “specialty occupations” (those requiring at least a U.S. bachelor's degree or equivalent education and work experience). Despite dramatic changes to the US economy in the past 17 years, the H-1B cap remains at its 1990 limit of 65,000 per year (an additional 20,000 visas are available for foreign nationals holding US graduate degrees). As a result, thousands of U.S. high-tech jobs today remain unfilled.

“To remain competitive, American companies need access to highly educated individuals,” Lieberman said. “But today’s system makes it difficult for innovative employers to recruit and retain highly educated talent, which puts the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage globally. As part of comprehensive immigration reform, we must address this crisis to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation. At the same time, we must strengthen the H-1B program to ensure that American workers are protected.”

“The severe shortage of H-1B visas is a nation-wide problem, and Nebraska is directly affected. The demand in underserved communities throughout Nebraska for these highly qualified individuals, such as doctors and nurses in rural areas, far out number the supply. This legislation is important to helping keep America competitive in the 21st Century workplace,” Hagel said.

“Keeping America’s economy strong depends on having enough skilled workers,” said Cantwell. “That means making sure education and training opportunities are affordable and accessible, but it also means getting help from the world’s best and brightest when there are skill shortages. With so many high-tech companies in the Pacific Northwest, we need an H-1B visa process that meets employer demands as well as prevents fraud and abuse. This proposal strikes a balance on the H-1B visa program, which is key to investing in our future and keeping America competitive.”

The Lieberman-Hagel bill would increase the cap to 115,000 in 2007 and would add a flexible adjustment mechanism that would enable to cap to rise as high as 180,000, depending on market conditions (this ceiling would still be less than the 195,000 limit in 2001-2003). Additionally, the bill would exempt from the cap foreign nationals who hold a US graduate degree; a non-US graduate degree in science, technology, engineering or math; or a US medical specialty certification.

Currently, foreign nationals count for 56% of all engineering master's degrees and 65% of engineering Ph.D. degrees awarded by Connecticut universities. In Nebraska, the percentages are 37% and 72%, respectively.

In raising the H-1B cap, the bill would also create meaningful and reasonable reforms to prevent visa fraud and abuse. The bill includes provisions that would:

• Prohibit employers from advertising jobs as exclusively open to H-1B visa holders.

• Provide that employers with 50 employees cannot have more than half of their workforce on H-1B visas.

• Remove unnecessary restrictions on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) ability to investigate H-1B compliance.

• Authorize DOL to hire an additional 200 employees to administer, oversee, investigate and enforce the H-1B program.

• Raise the H-1B petition fee by $500, to pay for enhanced enforcement and ensure the program pays for itself.

• Authorize reasonable improvements to coordination among DOL, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS).

The bill also allows the most highly qualified green card applicants to immigrate without being subject to artificial caps. Immediate families of employment based immigrants will no longer count against the worker caps.

The Lieberman-Hagel bill enjoys support from a wide-range of businesses technology groups, including Microsoft Corporation and Compete America, a coalition of corporations, educators, research institutions and trade associations committed to assuring that US employers have the ability to hire and retain the world’s best talent.

“The nation continues to witness a dramatic decline in the number of native born computer science graduates,” said Jack Krumholtz, Managing Director of Federal Government Affairs for Microsoft Corp. “As a result, technology companies like Microsoft rely on the H-1B visa and employment-based green card programs to deliver an adequate supply of highly qualified employees to help maintain our competitive position. That can only be achieved through immediate reform of these programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of our economy. We commend Senators Lieberman, Hagel, Cantwell and Voinovich for their leadership in addressing this critical problem, and urge the Senate to adopt these measures and pass expeditiously comprehensive immigration reform legislation.”

“The Skilled Worker Immigration and Fairness Act would provide crucial reforms to the H-1B visa and EB green card processes that U.S. companies urgently need,” stated Robert Hoffman, Vice President for Government and Public Affairs at Oracle and Co-Chair of Compete America. “Senators Lieberman and Hagel should be commended for taking a leading role on an issue that is so important to America’s continued innovation leadership and economic strength.”

Press release: "Hagel Introduces Legislation to Deal with Illegal Immigrants Living in the U.S."

Here is the first of two press releases from Chuck Hagel's Senate office today:

Hagel Introduces Legislation to Deal with Illegal Immigrants Living in the U.S.

April 26th, 2007 - Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) today introduced “The Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007.” The legislation would create a merit-based point system to deal with those living in the country illegally. Those who receive enough points would be put on a pathway to earn citizenship after 13 years. Under Hagel’s bill, no person here illegally would be able to jump in line ahead of someone who has applied for citizenship legally.

Hagel’s legislation is a compromise intended to be incorporated into the comprehensive immigration reform legislation the Senate will consider in May. The legislation builds on previous immigration reform legislation introduced by Hagel in the last two Congresses.

“It is not in our interest to have 12 million people living here illegally. We must create a system in which those who are contributing to our country, speaking English, and helping build a better America are given a pathway toward earned citizenship, while those who are not contributing to our country can be identified and deported. This legislation creates that kind of responsible system. This is an issue of national security as well as an economic issue. We cannot afford to continue to ignore it,” Hagel said.

To be eligible for the point system under Hagel’s legislation, an illegal immigrant must have been in the country since before January 7, 2004; pass a criminal or national security background check; pay back state and federal income taxes; demonstrate a proficiency in English and U.S. history; register for selective service; and pay a $2000 fine and additional fees. The system is modeled after those used by Canada and Australia.

Attached is a summary of the Immigrant Accountability Act of 2007

This legislation builds on the Hagel/Daschle legislation introduced in January 2004, the Hagel Immigrant Accountability Act of 2005, and the Hagel/Martinez compromise that made passage of the Senate Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act possible in 2006. This legislation embraces the concept from the Hagel/Martinez compromise allowing long-term, employed illegal aliens to stay in the United States if they prove that they are invested and contributing to the United States. Illegal aliens who arrived after January 7, 2004 would have to leave the U.S. or be deported.



Under the Hagel Immigrant Accountability Act, illegal aliens applying for earned adjustment would have to pass criminal and national security background checks; pay back state and federal income taxes; demonstrate English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government; register for the military selective service; and pay a $2,000 fine and additional fees. They would have to wait in the back of the line behind those who have already applied before earning a greencard.



New provisions under the Hagel legislation require illegal aliens to demonstrate they are contributing to the United States to be eligible to earn an eventual path (after 13 years) to American Citizenship. To qualify for a greencard, an individual here illegally must earn points in categories that show specific characteristics that demonstrate investment, contribution and assimilation into the United States. The individual would be required to receive 65% of the available points to qualify for a greencard. (Point table attached.) After the initial application, if at anytime DHS determines that the alien cannot qualify for the program, the alien would have to leave the U.S. or would be deported.



The bill establishes the following point categories:





• Military Service (after meeting initial qualifications for adjustment)



• Advanced English proficiency





• Civic Engagement – significant community service work (religious or secular), a clean criminal record, and on time payment of income taxes for past work



• Business ownership (which employs at least 2 unrelated “legal” workers)



• Home ownership



• Work History (points for each year of work an alien can prove) (Like Hagel/Martinez)



• Education (additional points for all levels of education)



• U.S. Presence (points for length of time in the U.S.) (Like Hagel/Martinez)



· U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident Spouse or minor child



Basic Points

FACTOR
POSSIBLE POINTS

Work

The range of points is based on the number of years a person has worked in the U.S. (Up to 5 points per year possible.)
15-30

Education

An alien may earn minimal points for primary school, additional points for high school or obtaining a GED, or skilled trade license.
15-30

Family

A person may earn points for having a U.S. citizen child; additional points may be awarded for a U.S. citizen/legal resident spouse.
10-20

English

The range of points is based on level of proficiency - the more fluent, the more points.
5-15

Civic Engagement

Points may be earned for community service, having no criminal or civil infractions, and on time payment of taxes.
5-20

U.S. Presence

The range of points is based on the number of years a person has lived in the U.S.

(Up to 5 points per year possible.)
10-12

Total Possible Points

Specific point values will be determined by regulation.
60-127




An alien must earn 65% of available Basic Points to eventually qualify for a green card and citizenship.



Extra Credit Points

Extra points may be awarded to those immigrants who have made exceptional contributions.

FACTOR
POINTS

U.S. Military Service

Points for being eligible for honorable discharge.
Up to 20

Business Ownership

Points awarded if business is sustained for 18 months and alien employs at least 2 non-relative employees.
Up to 10

Advanced Education

Points for college degree or advanced degree.
Up to 15

Home Ownership
Up to 5

Other Circumstances: There will be factors that we are unable to anticipate at this time. These factors, and the points to assign to them, are at the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security
Up to 20

Hagel on the issues - IMMIGRATION

Senator Hagel has been a key player in the immigration debate for the last few years. Once again, the information comes from his website.

IMMIGRATION

• Senator Hagel co-authored legislation in the Senate which would add 14,000 new border patrol agents; quadruple border fencing; require aliens show a biometric, machine-readable and tamper-resistant identification card for work authorization; increase fines for hiring illegal workers; and deal with the 12 million illegal immigrants living in this country.

Press release on border security

Yesterday Senator Hagel's office released a press release on border security. The following is from the press release, "Hagel Votes Against Amendment to Take Money Away from Border Patrol Agents and Other Homeland Security Priorities."

July 13th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today voted down an amendment by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) by a vote of (29-71), which would have cut $1.8 billion from Homeland Security funding to pay for a 370 mile-long fence on America’s southern border. The amendment would have cut funding for border patrol agents, border infrastructure, first responders, port security and other homeland security programs. U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) voted against the Sessions Amendment.

“It is absurd to ask the taxpayers of Nebraska and the nation to choose between building a fence to help secure our southern border and funding our other homeland security priorities. By enacting the comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by the Senate in May, we can fund our homeland security needs and build a 370 mile-long fence on our southern border, along with providing significant border resources. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the net revenue from the Senate bill would be roughly $12 billion over ten years. This money would be put back into securing our borders instead of sticking Nebraska taxpayers with the bill. This is all the more reason we need to move as quickly as possible to resolve the differences between the Senate and House and pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill,” Hagel said.

For the full press release, go here.

"On immigration, Hagel's bill is best approach"

There is a good article in the Journal Star on the Senate immigration bill.

Sen. Chuck Hagel played a valuable and potentially historic role in helping his colleagues put together a comprehensive immigration reform bill that tackles all of the necessary issues.

His work on immigration reform has been constructive and responsible.

"On immigration, Hagel's bill is best approach" is a good editorial that's worth a read.

"Senate Passes Hagel-Martinez Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation"

Press release from Chuck Hagel's Senate website:

May 25th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate passed comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation (S. 2611), introduced by U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), today by a vote of 62 to 36. The bill to fix America’s broken immigration system will now go to a House-Senate Conference Committee to resolve differences between the two bills passed by both houses of Congress.

"In my ten years in the Senate, this is the most significant and far-reaching piece of legislation the Senate has passed. For years, we have ignored the hard decisions required to fix our porous borders and our broken immigration system. Our nation has paid a heavy price for our neglect. By passing this bill today, we have put our country on a responsible course to secure our borders, stop illegal immigration and implement a rational immigration reform policy that makes sense for our country.

"The President deserves great credit for his leadership on this issue. I am confident that the House-Senate Conference Committee will work through the differences in the two bills and produce a responsible bill that secures our borders and fixes our broken immigration system. The American people will demand it," Hagel said.

The Hagel-Martinez bill includes:

More than doubling the number of border patrol agents by adding 14,400 new agents to the current force, bringing the total to 25,983;

A 70% increase in immigration and customs enforcement officers, bringing the total to 9,500;

Quadrupling of border fencing, enhancement of electronic surveillance, and addition of 20 new detention facilities;

Requirements that aliens with work authorization show a biometric, machine-readable and tamper-resistant identification card;

Requirements that anyone seeking employment who claims to be a U.S. Citizen must show a machine-readable, tamper-resistant identification card that includes a digital photograph of the individual;

Establishing an employee electronic verification system to verify that newly hired employees are legal and increase maximum fines to employers for hiring illegal workers to $20,000 for each worker and impose up to three years of jail;

Providing for a workable temporary guest-worker program. Guest workers would need to be employed to apply for a permanent residency green card;

Requirements that any illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. five years or more would have to pay a $3,250 fine and back taxes, pass national security and criminal background checks, prove they have worked for at least 3 years, register for military service, demonstrate knowledge of English and American civics and work an additional six years;

Requirements that illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. between two and five years leave the U.S. and return through a port of entry in order to obtain a temporary work visa and meet the same requirements as those who have been in the country more than five years;

Requirements that illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. less than two years voluntarily return home or be deported;

Requirements that no one who has entered the country illegally be considered for citizenship before anyone who has played by the rules and gone through the system legally.

"Hagel Statement on President Bush’s Speech to the Nation on Immigration Reform"

Press release from Chuck Hagel's office:

May 15th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) issued the following statement tonight regarding President Bush’s address to the nation on
immigration reform:

“I support everything the President said tonight. His speech
covered all the critical issues that are part of this problem; bringing law
enforcement to our borders. I was especially pleased he used the Senate bill as
a model for comprehensive immigration reform. I thought the President spoke
clearly, directly and was very convincing. Now we must go forward and take the
next two weeks to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate.”

From his official Senate website.

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Immigration reform, President Bush

Hagel Press Release

Here is a press release from Senator Hagel's office:

May 11th, 2006 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) today released the following joint statement regarding the unanimous consent agreement to bring comprehensive immigration reform legislation back to the Senate floor Monday:

"Under the unanimous consent agreement reached today, the Senate will resume the immigration debate next week. Senate Republicans are united in their commitment to an open and full debate on multiple amendments -- just as we have done on other bills of this magnitude like bankruptcy and class action reform.

"We are willing to put differences aside so we can get on with the important work to be done securing our borders and grappling with the 12 million illegal immigrants currently living in our country. We are also in agreement that efforts to curtail the debate prematurely will only derail this process. We call on Senate Democrats to allow an open debate and votes on this complex and challenging issue."

It can be found at his official Senate website here.

Hagel on ABC's This Week

Chuck Hagel was on ABC's This Week this morning and you can see the segment of the show. Check out the video. The topics are the upcoming confirmation hearings of Gen. Hayden and the NSA programs, as well as immigration reform and the possibility of using the National Guard to police the border.

An Editorial on Immigration

The Omaha World-Herald has a nice editorial about immigration, which supports the Hagel plan.

Responsible Balance - If both sides on immigration furl their flags, they might see wisdom behind Hagel proposal.

Sober realism - a state not easily reached amid dueling cries of "racism" and "amnesty" - dictates that 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants cannot simply be thrown out of this country. Their numbers ought not grow further, but those who are already here need to be assimilated or encouraged to go home and try to come back legally.

Read the full opinion piece here (registration required).

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Immigration

The Senate Revisits Immigration

The Immigration issue is back in the news as the Senate has come back from their break and is back on the issue, with the starting point being the bill by Chuck Hagel and Mel Martinez. President Bush got into the issue more than he has in the past as he met with Senators on the issue.

Sen. Chuck Hagel left a White House meeting with President Bush on Tuesday encouraged about the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform this year.

“I think this advanced the effort considerably,” Hagel said in a telephone interview after Bush discussed immigration legislation for more than an hour with 16 senators.

“This was the most engaging and direct exchange I’ve seen in my 10 years here between a president and members of Congress,” Hagel said.

Bush “really got into it,” the Nebraska Republican said. “He feels very passionately about this issue.”

From Hagel heartened by immigration meeting with Bush

Another good article discussed the potential 2008 Presidential candidates and the immigration issue.

Several potential 2008 GOP presidential candidates, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and immigration hard-liner Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, have staked out the highest-profile positions on the issue.

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette

Immigration Reform

Immigration reform has been the hot topic in politics in the last two weeks. and Chuck Hagel has been right in the middle of it.

Yesterday a compromise bill was put forward in the Senate by Chuck Hagel and Mel Martinez (R-FL) that looked like it had enough support to pass (and it has the best chance of any bill in the Senate on the issue) that calls for tighter border security and enforcement, but also provides a path to legal status for many of the undocumented aliens now in the U.S. The legislation has been praised by President Bush.

Senator Hagel sent a letter to his supporters recently and his is what he said about immigration reform:

“America cannot continue to defer making tough choices about its immigration policy. It is not in our national security interests to have 12 million undocumented individuals living inside our borders. Last year, after meeting with many Nebraska law enforcement officials, community leaders, business owners and immigration lawyers, I re-introduced a comprehensive package of immigration reform bills. My legislation will enhance America’s national security, protect our workforce, and bring accountability to those living in America illegally. This month, as the Senate begins work on legislation to provide comprehensive immigration reform, I plan to be a part of that debate with my legislation.”

Technorati tags: Chuck Hagel, Immigration, Immigration Reform

Immigration Reform

Chuck Hagel has been working on the issue of immigration for more than two years now, while it has finally caught on in the Senate this past week. Senator Hagel introduced a comprehensive reform bill over two years ago and will certainly be a major player in the new debate as it takes shape in the Senate.

The following are two articles that discuss the current state of the immigration debate in the Senate.

Congress to Debate Illegal Immigration

Immigration reform hot issue here