The Kauffman Foundation released a report today that challenged recent restrictions on H-1B visas.
The findings are summarized here, but here are the essential paragraphs
"Losing these skilled immigrants is an economic catastrophe that will hurt US competitiveness for decades to come," said [Vivek] Wadwha.
I can’t help but notice that the deficit in California alone is around $42 billion. Hmm….
Steve Lohr of The New York Times has more on the brain drain.
Most of the returnees were young –- in their early 30s -– and nearly 90 percent had master’s or doctorate degrees. And 66 percent said that visa considerations were not a reason for returning home. “Addressing this issue is going to entail more than solving the visa problem,” said Mr. Wadhwa, referring to the waiting list of 1 million H-1B visa holders and their families who are seeking longer-term work visas.
Instead of permitting skilled immigrants to enter the United States, Mr. Wadhwa insisted, the country has to start wooing them by creating “fast-track” immigration policies and incentives to stay, as nations like Singapore and Australia have done.
The Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate should take note. But unfortunately, they just passed a bill that bans companies that receive stimulus money from hiring any foreign workers. What a message to send to some of the foreign workers in our universities!

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