Congress seeks alternative to H-1B visas

Microsoft Corp. has about 4,000 employees for whom it is trying to gain permanent residency, a dilemma shared by many hi-tech companies. Responding to the industry's cry for help, a California congresswoman has proposed increases in the foreign-born workforce through expansion of the green card employment-based visa program.

There appears to be little likelihood of any immigration legislation getting through Congress in this election year, including raising the H-1B cap. But Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), head of a House Judiciary immigration subcommittee, is setting the stage for future debates with the recent introduction of three bills. Lofgren's most recent bill would exempt graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics from the annual 140,000 limit on permanent residency visas.

She also wants to eliminate the per-country caps on employment-based visas, and allow any unused employment-based green cards to be rolled over for reuse in a subsequent year.

To read about the green card debate:
- check out this CIO.com article