Re: H-1B Visa Legislation

Dear Senator Stevens:

The issue of how best to accommodate foreign nationals who have obtained advanced degrees from U.S. colleges and universities and who wish to remain in the United States upon completion of their educational programs is too complex to be resolved in the closing hours of the 108th Congress. Indeed, because the role of foreign graduate students in the U.S. scientific and engineering enterprise is so important, we recommend that it be made the subject of hearings before appropriate committees in the House and the Senate early next year.

That way, the question of whether the nation truly faces a critical "shortfall" of scientific and engineering talent, the reasons why so few U.S. students pursue advanced degrees in engineering fields and the consequences – intended and unintended – of expanding educational and employment-based admissions programs on the supply and demand for technical talent in the United States are sure to get the attention that they deserve.

In this connection, IEEE-USA would welcome an opportunity to assist Members of the 109th Congress and other concerned organizations and federal agencies examine foreign participation in the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce and craft visa policies that will help to ensure that the United States maintains its economic and technological leadership in an increasingly competitive global community of nations.

We urge you to defer action on this and other controversial H-1B visa issues.

Sincerely