What's Best for Business
Here is what employers like—and don't
The complex immigration bill has implications for all Americans. Here are three provisions of particular interest to the business community.
High-tech visas: H-1B visas allow 65,000 workers to enter the United States annually and work in high-tech jobs. The Senate bill pushes this number to 115,000 but includes a point system for workers to gain citizenship. The companies that originally supported this proposal are now frowning over what they see as a complicated pathway to citizenship.
Guest-worker program: This program would permit foreigners to enter the United States and work temporarily. The number of new visas is up for debate. The Senate bill originally included 600,000; senators slashed the number to 200,000, and groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are looking for 400,000.
Employee verification: The Senate bill requires employers to confirm workers' Social Security numbers through a database. Some say this would unduly burden employers.
More details on the legislation are at www.usnews.com/nation
This story appears in the June 4, 2007 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.