USIBC seeks hike in H1-B visas

The US-India Business Council has taken up the enquiry of two US Senators to several Indian companies on the H1-B visas by issuing a "call to action" to its 250 member-companies to revitalise participation and interest in the Coalition for Economic Growth and American Jobs.

The USIBC has said that its precautionary move to issue an alert is the result of unusual US Senatorial inquiries that were sent on Tuesday to a number of USIBC member-companies.

The inquiries sought clarification as to the companies' application for and use of H1-B  visas. USIBC strongly supports expanding the H1-B visa cap, as well as developing a new technology professional visa that will facilitate greater movement of technology professionals between the US and India.

"USIBC has also been monitoring the recent explosion of legislation at the state level that would constrain outsourcing in varying ways," a release said.

The Coalition for Economic Growth and  American Jobs, launched in 2004 during the flare-up against outsourcing, comprises of the 3 million member companies including the US Chamber of Commerce, the USIBC, the Information Technology Association of America and the American Council of Life Insurers, among others.

The Coalition's mandate is to spread the word that American competitiveness requires global integration, including value-added IT enabled support from overseas.

"Since the Coalition's formation in 2004, USIBC and other like-minded associations through the CEGAJ Coalition have worked hard to educate Americans about the vital importance of being able to source talented work and services wherever they can be produced most efficiently," USIBC said.

President of USIBC Ron Somers has said that his organisation will remain vigilant in its efforts to prevent a backlash against this ever-more important inter-dependent industry.

"USIBC will ratchet up its education campaign on Capitol Hill to highlight the benefits resulting from the robust commerce of a 'flatter world' economy. We will continue to push for greater movement of technology professionals, including the increase in the H1-B visa cap, as well as the creation of a new technology professional visa.

"These are essential elements needed to support the integration of our information economy, which must be on par with the US-India strategic partnership," Somers said.