Here is Rob’s preliminary analysis of what might happen. The new bill would
* Mandate a retroactive increase to 195,000 from the current 65,000 H-1B visa cap (exclusive of existing exemptions) for the years of 2004-2006, in effect allowing for a one-time grab by employers of nearly 400,000 visas!
* Increase the current 65,000-visa cap to 115,000 in 2007, a 60% hike.
* Allow all existing exemptions to remain so effectively the number of H-1B visas would rise to nearly 300,000 a year.
* Increase the annual cap by 20 percent after any year in which the federal government reaches the limit. There are no provisions to move the cap down if all visas aren't used. This is a very open ended method to increase the cap that effectively makes H-1B an unlimited visa.
Taken together, within one year over 600,000 new foreign professionals could flood the U.S. labor market.
And there would be an unlimited number of F-4 visas for students pursuing advanced university degrees in science, technology, engineering or math.
Once they graduate they will get a visa that allows them to stay in the U.S. for up to a year to find work. If hired, they will automatically get a green card.
Add these visa increases for educated foreign workers to the guest worker programs for the unskilled and what is left for Americans?
Too bad we can’t all play golf like Tiger Woods.
