April 30, 2008
WashTech News
The Department of Homeland Security is inviting public comment about a controversial rule that allows employers to retain foreign students for a longer period of time in the country.
DHS had, earlier this month, formulated an "interim rule" allowing employers to hire foreign students holding F-1 visas for "Optional Practical Training" for 29 months as opposed to the hitherto 12 months. The rule, applicable to almost 20,000 new graduate students holding degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) annually (in addition to a fresh batch of 65,000 H1B visa holders, also arriving annually), poses a threat to American graduates finding gainful employment, as more people flood the job market, which is already under stress by a high unemployment rate nationwide.
The DHS rule change earned liberal brick bats from the public due to the backhanded way it was formulated. Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Worthen wrote, "Instead of releasing a draft and soliciting comments from the public" - the typical process for governmental rule changes - " DHS cited a clause in the Administrative Procedures Act, which is reserved for emergencies, to make the rule effective immediately".
To rectify the error, DHS is now inviting public comment on the issue. How do you perceive this rule change will effect you, your friends and family today, and in the future?
Make your opinion heard. Click here to Take Action!
Input the document ID, ICEB-2008-0002-0001 in the first search window to the left (it says search all documents). You should see a page titled: "Extending Period of Optional Practical Training by 17-Months for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees and Expanding Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions". You can post your comment on this page.
Pls ensure that the language in your comments respects an office of the government, and makes your case in an effective, concise and dignified fashion. Pls make the subject line succinct and be aware that everything posted on DHS is placed in the public domain. Therefore, do not include information you do not want to be made public.
Your opinion matters. Get it heard before it is too late.
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DHS Invites Comment on Thorny OPT Issue
WashTech CorrespondentThe Department of Homeland Security is inviting public comment about a controversial rule that allows employers to retain foreign students for a longer period of time in the country.
DHS had, earlier this month, formulated an "interim rule" allowing employers to hire foreign students holding F-1 visas for "Optional Practical Training" for 29 months as opposed to the hitherto 12 months. The rule, applicable to almost 20,000 new graduate students holding degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) annually (in addition to a fresh batch of 65,000 H1B visa holders, also arriving annually), poses a threat to American graduates finding gainful employment, as more people flood the job market, which is already under stress by a high unemployment rate nationwide.
The DHS rule change earned liberal brick bats from the public due to the backhanded way it was formulated. Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Worthen wrote, "Instead of releasing a draft and soliciting comments from the public" - the typical process for governmental rule changes - " DHS cited a clause in the Administrative Procedures Act, which is reserved for emergencies, to make the rule effective immediately".
To rectify the error, DHS is now inviting public comment on the issue. How do you perceive this rule change will effect you, your friends and family today, and in the future?
Make your opinion heard. Click here to Take Action!
Input the document ID, ICEB-2008-0002-0001 in the first search window to the left (it says search all documents). You should see a page titled: "Extending Period of Optional Practical Training by 17-Months for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees and Expanding Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students with Pending H-1B Petitions". You can post your comment on this page.
Pls ensure that the language in your comments respects an office of the government, and makes your case in an effective, concise and dignified fashion. Pls make the subject line succinct and be aware that everything posted on DHS is placed in the public domain. Therefore, do not include information you do not want to be made public.
Your opinion matters. Get it heard before it is too late.
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Talkback on Article
May 20, 2008, 1:15 am
Unfair to American workers. What happened to the days when Americans made american products?
Derrick Harding, Spokane, WA
Derrick Harding, Spokane, WA
May 6, 2008, 1:39 pm
My name is P DeStefano. I am a family man with approximately 22 years of experience in the networking industry. I am trying to find opportunities for a person having data experience related to installation, troubleshooting and implementation.
I would appreciate any referral or direction that you can offer a family man on his endeavor.
Respectfully,
P DeStefano
P DeStefano,
P DeStefano,
May 6, 2008, 1:36 pm
Just goes to show you that the people in Washingtion don't give a damn about
the American people,JUST THEMSELVES.
Carl Clark,
Carl Clark,
May 1, 2008, 3:17 pm
This is otherwise a very good story, except for one thing.
When I click on "Take action", I lose the instructions, and it is replaced by the action item.
It would be better to create a new window, when the "Take Action" button is clicked. That way I can still see the instruction, and at the same time I can execute the action item.
Thomas Glick, Richfield, MN USA
Thomas Glick, Richfield, MN USA
Apr 30, 2008, 11:30 pm
There has never been & there will never be a shortage of highly technically skilled Americans either prior to or after "outsourcing" and "h1b visas" were allowed to rob jobs from Americans. This is equal to treason and those that allowed this to happen should be dealt with based on that equivalency. All "outsourcing" & "h1b visas" must be stopped immediately & the laws that allow it must be repealed immediately. All jobs that have been "outsourced" must be reversed and taken back for America.
John J. Marotta, Elmwood Park U.S.A.
John J. Marotta, Elmwood Park U.S.A.
Apr 30, 2008, 10:30 pm
stop doing it to the computer people, do it for a change to the DOCTORS, AND LAWYERS who have lobbies
We dont have a lobby and we are getting decimated
NO REFERER
john, hackensack nj usa
john, hackensack nj usa
Apr 30, 2008, 10:18 pm
This is just another attempt by business to undermine paying a fair wage to american workers. This is why we need to unionize! I thank God I'm a union member and I encourage others to join as well.
Claude Newman, RICHMOND CA
Claude Newman, RICHMOND CA
Apr 30, 2008, 9:12 pm
time to employ american first. tell gates
to open his big pockets for this country
carolyn seeger, california usa
carolyn seeger, california usa
Apr 30, 2008, 9:12 pm
Dear Department of Homeland Security,
I possess a Master of Science degree in Engineering from a California University. On May 15, 2007, I was laid off by my employer of 12.5 years because my high-pay high-tech professional job was outsourced to India. I got a new job Feb 11, 2008 with lower pay just to pay the bills.
Today, my 3 kids do not wish to study for a career. I do not blame them. Why beat your head for so many years if that career is going overseas. I wasted the best years of my life.
Anonymous, Hayward, CA. USA
Anonymous, Hayward, CA. USA