H-1B Dynamic: Public Perception and Economic Realities
You’ve seen recent media headlines about the Dream Act and heard differing views about the undocumented immigrant question. What hasn’t been making headlines lately are the efforts in Washington and in communities across America to reform the H-1B visa program. It’s an issue that’s starting to impact the companies most in need of its benefits — U.S. providers of quality healthcare to Americans.
Since its inception in 1990, the H-1B non-immigrant visa classification has been a vehicle for qualified foreign-born workers to gain temporary employment in the United States. It’s a visa that’s sponsored by an employer who demonstrates a need for workers with exceptional skills, generally someone holding an advanced degree in areas such as computer science, medicine, or engineering. Currently, the annual H-1B maximum or cap established by Congress is set at 65,000 per fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 spots for applicants possessing a U.S. master’s degree or higher. In September 1997, for the first time, the annual ceiling cap hit capacity and provided the computer industry with new evidence of unmet demand for high-tech workers. Nearly 15 years later, the unmet demand for workers with special skills permeates other companies, including the healthcare industry.
In our continuing coverage of immigration and the economy for the Homeland documentary series, one of our stories is about a St. Louis-based hospital that is experiencing a shortage of hospitalists — or primary care physicians dedicated to the hospital setting. They are willing to hire physicians who need H-1B sponsorship and work with Susan Cho Figenshau, an attorney who specializes in employment-based immigration law.
A core theme in the series is the relationship between public perceptions about immigrant workers and the economic climate. In this clip, we asked Susan to share her insight into that relationship, which may explain why the H-1B visa program doesn’t always make the headlines:
Video edited by Anne Davis. Footage shot for Homeland documentary series.
Category: Economy
