USINPAC Regrets the Senate Decision to Extend the H1-B Visa Fee Hike
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) regrets the Senate vote to extend the H1-B visa fee hike by another year (until 2015), and urges the President to reconsider the provision. At the same time, it welcomes the decision to not extend the visa fee hike for six years as proposed in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Washington, DC (Vocus/PRWEB) December 25, 2010
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) regrets the Senate vote to extend the H1-B visa fee hike by another year (until 2015), and urges the President to reconsider the provision. At the same time, it welcomes the decision to not extend the visa fee hike for six years as proposed in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
The Act will provide free medical treatment to those suffering from illnesses contracted while clearing the 9/11 debris. New York Senators, Kristin Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer had proposed a six year extension on the H1-B visa fee hike originally introduced by the Border Security Bill in August 2010.The collections will be used to fund the $4.3 billion medical treatment fund for 9/11 debris workers.
USINPAC had requested the Congress and the President to reconsider the H1-B and L-1 visa fee hike as it would permanently move jobs offshore. Reiterating the same request, Sanjay Puri, USINPAC Chairman said, “It is unfortunate that the H1-B visa fee hike has been extended by another year, in spite of the impact it can have on perceptions in India towards the U. S. Doubling U. S. exports is one of President Obama’s key trade goals and it would be difficult to achieve that without a growth in U. S.-India trade, as India is one of the fastest growing economies. We need a strong export policy during this crucial period of economic recovery, whereas the visa fee hike works against it. We will continue to talk to the Congress and urge the President to reconsider the provision.”
USINPAC empathizes with the pain of the workers and hold them in high regard for their service to the country. We hope the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will bring them some respite.
About USINPAC: The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is a bi-partisan non-profit organization and the voice of 2.7 million Indian-Americans. It works to impact policy on issues of concern to the Indian-American community. We also provide bipartisan support to candidates for federal, state and local office who support the issues that are important to the Indian-American community. For more information visit us at http://www. usinpac. com
Follow USINPAC on Twitter:http://twitter. com/usinpac
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