This week, Fierce CIO reports on the latest ruling by a federal judge who refused to halt the Bush administration's extension of student visas from one year to 29 months.

Opponents charged that this policy was a backdoor way for foreign students to get a better shot at an H-1B visa. Proponents said the extension was needed because the visas are generally allocated in early April each year prior to the close of the academic year, making it difficult for new graduate to stay and get hired here.

As this controversy and the broader debate over the number of H-1B visas alloted continues, it's clear that the United States must deal with the vexing issue of foreign workers and the U.S. tech sector.

We hope that a new administration--from whichever party--will see fit to take this issue by the horns and work with Congress to find a way to help tech companies get more qualified workers, while also finding a way of increasing educational and job opportunities for U.S. students and IT workers. It's time for the tech world to get the trained workforce it needs to get the job done. - Judi [1]