Immigration News
Introduction of New H-1B and Green Card Reform Legislation
(the "SKIL Bill")
June 30, 2006
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) today commended
the introduction of the "SKIL Bill" by Representative
John Shadegg (R-AZ) to reform both the H-1B visa and employment
based (EB visa) green card processes. The legislation is cosponsored
by Representatives John Campbell (R-CA), K. Michael Conaway (R-TX),
John T. Doolittle (R-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI),
Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mike Pence (R-IN), John Shimkus (R-IL) and
Todd Tiahrt (R-KS).
The introduction of the SKIL Bill in the House is a positive sign
that both the U.S. Congress and Bush Administration are serious
about correcting the growing competitiveness crisis for the United
States and reform the visa system for highly educated foreign nationals.
AILA also supports similar provisions addressing H-1B and EB visa
issues contained in comprehensive immigration legislation in the
Senate as well as the President's American Competitiveness Initiative.
"Representative Shadegg's introduction of the SKIL Bill in
the House brings us closer to an important fix to the broken H-1B
and EB green card systems," said Carlina Tapia-Ruano, president
of AILA. "History has shown that highly educated foreign-born
professionals bring great benefits to the U.S. economy and we applaud
him for his leadership on this critical issue."
Among the highlights of the SKIL Bill (Securing Knowledge Innovation
and Leadership) include the following:
- Exemptions for U.S. educated foreign workers with master's or
higher degrees from the H-1B and EB green card quotas so their talent
can be retained in the United States.
- Creation of a flexible, market-based H-1B cap so that U.S. employers
are not locked out of hiring critical talent for over a year at
a time.
- Extension of foreign students' post curricular optional practical
training from 12 months to 24 months to allow them to transition
more easily from student to green card.
- Exemptions for EB green card immigrant spouses and children
from the annual cap, thus making more visas available for the innovative
professionals we need.
Immigration Law Group will continue to provide updates on this
proposed legislation as they become available.
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