Move to raise H-1B visa cap under fire in US Congress

The idea endorsed by US President George W Bush and supported by technology companies failed to win a commitment from politicians and no legislation equivalent to the Senate Bill has been introduced in the House.

Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from southern California, said she was 8216;8216;not supportive of in any way expanding or increasing these visas8217;8217; and suggested that companies look to neighbouring states, not foreign countries, for new hires. Waters co-sponsored a House Bill last autumn aimed at limiting the H-1B visas and imposing new obligations on US companies hoping to make hires.

Congressman Steve King, a Republican said, 8216;8216;We must not betray American students by encouraging them to enter into a tough major for the good of their country such as science and engineering and then offering their job to foreign students.8217;8217;

The development comes at a time when the nation is debating controversial policy proposals aimed at dealing with the estimated 11.5 million to 12 million unauthorised migrants in the US.

After the hearing, advocates for increased H1-B visas indicated that they were not encouraged. 8216;8216;Our experience last year led us to believe that the House will be more hesitant to adopt the reforms necessary to fix the H-1B and Green Card systems,8217;8217; Eric Thomas, spokesman for the advocacy group Compete America, told cnet.