In the first-ever indication of its stand on H-1B visas popular among Indian professionals, the Obama Administration has informed a court that the US needs this scheme to avoid "competitive disadvantage" the American companies could face otherwise.
A submission in this regard was recently filed by Michael F Hertz, Acting Assistant Attorney General, in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of three US bodies, nine individuals and two students challenging government`s decision to extend from one year to 29 months the duration of foreign nationals with engineering, science and other technical degrees who can work in the US on student visas.
This was a policy decision by previous Bush government, which was challenged in a lower court in New Jersey last year and was summarily dismissed. The same petitioners approached the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia last month.
Obama Administration`s view point was expressed in its submission before the Philadelphia court on March 23, according to a copy of petition and response.
"The inability of US employers, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to obtain H-1B status for highly skilled foreign students and foreign non-immigrant workers has adversely affected the ability of US employers to recruit and retain skilled workers and creates a competitive disadvantage for US companies," the US government argued.
The inability of US employers, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to obtain H-1B status for highly skilled foreign students and foreign non-immigrant workers has adversely affected the ability of US employers to recruit and retain skilled workers and creates a competitive disadvantage for US companies," the US government argued.
If any poor soul in India thinks that the visa granting authorites or congresional aids are no longer cognizant of the skill set needed for software development diploma, engineering degree, science and mathemtics skill set, then he is in for further shock from 2009 on.
The old IT practice of hiring low wage employee from India and labeling them as skilled workers are LONG gone in the US.
Victimised in Australia, Indian students are petrified, dazed and confused. Anger is also growing within the country, among families of those like Shravan, who is still in a coma.
Baljinder Singh, stabbed by his mocking attackers but recovering, has a chilling warning to other potential students - find opportunities in India, don`t come to Australia.
| NIFTY 
