SEN. HATCH OFFERING BILL TO INCREASE H-1B CAP

Computerworld is reporting that Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is preparing an H-1B bill, which could raise the H-1B cap as high as 195,000 visas.  The current H-1B cap ceiling is 85,000, of which 20,000 are reserved for graduates of at least a US Master’s degree program. 

Sen. Hatch’s bill reportedly is an update of his 2015 I-Squared Bill.  The I-Squared bill was first offered in 2013.  The 2015 bill contained many excellent provisions for the IT industry and H-1B employers.  It remains to be seen which of these provisions will be in the 2017 version of the bill.  Sen. Hatch is to be applauded for his long-standing belief in the employment-based immigration system and the contributions made by employment-based visa holders.

The 2015 bill included these provisions:

-provided H-4 spousal work authorization.

-reduced the ability of the USCIS to issue harassing H-1B RFEs.

-gave an H-1B worker a 60 day grace period at the conclusion of H-1B status.

-allowed H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1, E-2, and P-1 visa holders the ability to have their visas extended in the US.

-increased green card numbers.

-eliminated the per-country immigrant visa quota.

-created funding for US training programs in STEM fields by increasing USCIS filing fees.