The H-1B visa program allows American companies and universities to employ foreign scientists, engineers and programmers.  The Senate Judiciary Committee has proposed increasing the number of H-1B visas available to U.S. companies each year by 30,000.  This proposal will also raise the fees that employers pay for these visas and is designed to allow the program to generate almost $30 million annually.

Click here to tell your Senator to oppose the expansion of the H-1B visa program.

Unemployment among professionals in H-1B occupations in the U.S. remains high.  Companies who rely on the H1-B visa program as a staffing strategy displace American workers, depress wages, and discourage young people from pursuing careers in the high-tech industry. The program encourages employers to use contingent staffing solutions, instead of creating jobs that support workers, their families, and their communities.

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), the senior member of the U.S Senate and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee has made an alternate proposal -- reject the H1-B visa increases and instead raise the fee for L-1 visas to $1500.

Click here to urge your Senators to support the Byrd Amendment and protect American jobs.