How the U.S. Is Closing the Door to Top Talent
Blog Categories
August 17, 2023
America’s broken immigration system is closing the door to the top talent Buffalo Niagara employers need. Many regional employers have an urgent need for high-skill employees to help them grow, innovate, and stay competitive. To meet that need, companies rely on the federal H-1B visa program to secure high-skilled talent. But the outdated H-1B visa system is failing employers.
The current H-1B visa cap has been in place for three decades. As a result, the program reaches its cap within weeks of opening each year. According to the US Chamber’s Immigration Data Center, of the nearly 485,000 H-1B visa applications filed in the spring of 2022, only 85,000 new visas will be granted.
The pain points caused by this chasm were the focal point of conversations at the BNP’s Tech Industry Leaders Forum in June. To respond to that need, the BNP organized a Capital Conversations event as part of our Government Affairs series to examine the workings of the H-1B program and explore potential reforms that could strengthen our regional economy.
Perspective on this pressing issue was provided by:
- Zabrina Reich, Partner and the Immigration Practice Group Leader at Phillips Lytle
- Randy Harris, CEO of Lighthouse Technology Services
- Oscar Budde, Associate Vice Provost and Director for Immigration Services at the University at Buffalo
To learn more about how the current high-skilled H-1B visa program is falling far shorter of need and the impact that is having on our economy, you can watch the recording of our event in our Member Portal.
Related Posts
8.4.21 Advocacy Alert: Biden Reverses Course, Extends Eviction Moratorium
On Tuesday night, the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium – a complete reversal from the President’s assertion this weekend that he lacked the authority to do so.
The new moratorium is in effect through October 3, going beyond New York State’s August 31 deadline. It extends the terms of the original moratorium: tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent.
BNP Advocacy Insider – August 2021
The August 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: CDC Eviction Moratorium Expires; NY’s Still in Effect
With no action taken by Congress or the CDC, the federal eviction moratorium expired July 31.
The expiration will not impact New York until September. Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed S.6362/A.7175, a bill to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through August 31.
8.2.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Cuomo Makes Recommendations on Vaccination Efforts
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.