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Immigrants lobby for more H1B visas

An organisation representing Indian immigrants brought to the United States on H1B visas has launched a massive lobbying campaign, visiting over 500 lawmakers to draw attention to the need to "fix the broken system" through which H1B visa-holders can secure permanent residence in the US.

"Our first ever visit to Capitol Hill was a great success," said Immigrants Support Network president Shailesh Gala.

The lobbyists represented to the legislators the problems of H1B visa holders, who have contributed heavily to the growth of the US economy and prosperity of the country.

At present, after six years, they can apply for green cards through their employers. But many are forced to leave the country because of administrative backlogs and because quotas for people from India ensure that only a few people obtain green cards.

The ISN, in a release, said two bills currently pending in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives constitute a good first step to provide much-needed relief. The bills will allow H1B visa holders to stay on in the US beyond the current limit of six years and thus reduce the backlog in issuing green cards.

Bhushan Sethi, ISN vice-president, said the first bill pending in the Senate provides also for comprehensive immigration reform.

"It addresses most of our immediate goals and will help ease the problems H1B workers are having in obtaining permanent residence," he said.

PTI

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