A bill backing key changes in the H1-B programme that allows skilled workers from countries like India to fill high-tech jobs in the US has been re-introduced in the Congress by two lawmakers who claim it will help check abuse of work visa.
The ‘Protect and Grow American Jobs Act’ makes important changes to the eligibility requirements for H1-B visa exemptions and was re-introduced on Wednesday by Republican Darrell Issa and Scott Peters – both from California.
The bill, among other things, increases the minimum salary of H-1B visa to $ 1,00,000 per annum and eliminate the Masters Degree exemption.
The legislation, they argued, will help crackdown on abuse and ensure that these jobs remain available for the best and brightest talent from around the world.
“In order for America to lead again, we need to ensure we can retain the world’s best and brightest talent,” Issa said.
“The legislation we’re introducing today does both. It will ensure that our valuable high-skilled immigration spots are used by companies when the positions cannot be filled by the existing workforce,” Issa said.
By raising the salary to a level more in-line with the average American salary for these positions, it would help cut down on abuse by removing the profit incentive and ensuring these positions remain available for companies who truly need them, a media release said.
