The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the United States has opposed the move by the Government to expand the H1B visa. Officials from the Institute said that the issue of the H1B visa has resulted in immigrants taking up US jobs, resulting in unemployment for indigenous engineers. The H1B is the most popular visa for IT professionals.
However, it has suggested that immigrants be employed and offered the coveted Green Card. Those who hold the Card are allowed to open up businesses, therefore creating employment opportunities.
In a statement, Marc Apter, President of the IEEE-USA said, ‘The H-1B programme shouldn’t be used to facilitate the transfer of high-paying jobs to other countries. If Congress wants a full US economic recovery, it shouldn’t even think about expanding it… Starting next week, proponents of an H-1B visa increase will bemoan the fact that the H-1B cap is already used up. But it was outsourcing companies — businesses who use the visas to take American jobs — who used nearly two-thirds of them.’