June 6, 2000

The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
U.S. House of Representatives
1502 LHOB
Washington, DC  20515

Dear Representative Abercrombie:

On behalf of the American Business for Legal Immigration Coalition (ABLI), we want you to know of our strong support for H.R. 3983, the HI-TECH Act.  The bill, which temporarily raises the cap on H-1B visas, addresses the critical workforce shortage American employers face, particularly for jobs requiring degrees in math, science and engineering.  

Three trends are at the crux of the problem:  Unemployment is at a record, 30-year low.  Demand for professionals with highly specialized skills has soared, while the number of American students graduating from U.S. universities with undergraduate degrees in math, science, engineering and other technical disciplines has declined.  Finally, the way companies design, manufacture and market products and services around the globe demands international personnel mobility.  Unfortunately, American employers are finding it increasingly difficult to locate and recruit professionals to meet current project demands.  Failure to raise the cap to allow access to highly educated foreign professionals, many of whom were educated at U.S. universities, will result in lost sales, delayed projects and other setbacks that will threaten the technological preeminence of U.S. industry.

H.R. 3983 would provide immediate relief to employers.  It would ensure that a number of visas are clearly reserved for individuals with masters degrees and above, as well as for individuals working for institutions of higher education and non-profit research organizations.  Moreover, it would institute changes to the green card process that would help to alleviate some of the pressures that are currently borne by the H-1B program.  The bill also directs funds raised by the fee to effective education and training programs that help lay the groundwork for longer-term solutions to the worker shortage issue.  H.R. 3983 enjoys broad bipartisan support from Members across the country.

While H.R. 4227 does acknowledge the need to adjust the cap, we do not believe that it provides the necessary changes to deliver meaningful relief.  Indeed, H.R. 4227 imposes burdensome new requirements on the H-1B program that would make the program unusable for many employers.

With the cap on H-1B’s already expired, the need to address this issue quickly is acute.  We cannot afford to maintain an artificial cap on our technology-driven economy.  We look forward to working with you to pass H.R. 3983 in the weeks ahead. Should you have any additional questions or need more information, please go to www.nam.org/hrp/ABLI.htm, or contact Sandy Boyd at (202) 637-3133.

Sincerely,

3Com Corporation
3M
ABB
Acrylis, Inc.
ADEPT, Inc.
Advanced Software Systems, Inc.
Advanced Technologies Integration, Inc.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Ajilon
Akamai Technologies
ALCOA
Alexander LAN, Inc.
Altawave Inc.
Alternative System Concepts, Inc.
Altris Software, Inc.
AMD
Amdahl Corporation
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Council on Education
American Council on International Personnel
American Electronics Association
American Financial Systems, Inc.
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Information Technology Corporation
America Online, Inc.
American Power Conversion
Amgen
AMOS Image Payment Systems
Analog Devices, Inc.
Apple
Appleton Coated LLC
Appleton Papers Inc.
Applied Films
Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Science and Technology
Applix, Inc.
AppNet, Inc.
Archelon LLC
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
ArrAy Inc.
Artech Information Systems, LLC
Asset Sciences Inc.
Association of American Universities
Association of Independent Research Institutes
Atlanta Technologies & Systems, Inc.
Atlas Software Technologies, Inc.
ATMI, Inc.
Auriga, Inc.
Auspex Systems, Inc.
Auspice, Inc.
Autecs
Authoria, Inc.
Aware, Inc.
AxcessNet Ltd.
Axiomatic Design Software, Inc.
Axsun Technologies, Inc.
Barilla America, Inc.
Basis Technology
BCI Commcor
BD
Beacon Networks
Bechtel
Be Free, Inc.
Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council
Bellsoft Inc.
BellSouth International, Inc.
Best@IT Inc.
Biotechnology Industry Organization
BIT Group
Blue Fang Games
BlueStreak.com
BMC Software,Inc
Bobst Group, Inc.
Bosch Automation
Bradford Business Systems, Inc.
Brandeis University
Brooks Automation
Brooktrout Technology, Inc.
Burr-Brown Corporation
Business Software Alliance
Cabletron
California Insitute of Technology
Cambridge Publications, Inc.
Capital Technology Information Services
Cargill Inc.
Carleton College
Caterpillar Inc.
Cheshire Software, Inc.
Chevron Overseas Petroleum Inc.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Clare
Collaborative Communications, Inc.
College & University Personnel Association
Colorado School of Mines
The Comdyn Group
CommercialWare, Inc.
Compaq Computer Corporation
Computer & Communications Industry Association
Computer Task Group
Computing Technology Industry Association
Concero
Context Learning Corporation
Continental General Tire Inc.
Corex Technologies Corporation
Corning Incorporated
Cotelligent Inc.
Cuisine Solutions, Inc.
Cummins Engine Company
CYBER MATRIX Inc.
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Datafit Inc.
Deere & Company
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Delphi Automotive Systems
Diffraction International Ltd.
Digital River, Inc.
The Digital Dialogue Forum
Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
The Dow Chemical Company
Doxis, Inc.
Duke University
Dupont
Dywidag Systems International USA, Inc.
Eastman Kodak Company
EchoStar Communications Corp.
Eclipsys Corporation.
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Edison, New Jersey Mutex Systems, Inc.
EDS
Electronic Industries Alliance
Electronic Services, Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company
EMC
EM Solutions
EMCORE Corporation
Employers Association of West Mass, Inc.
Enhanced Memory Systems, Inc.
Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
Ernst & Young LLP
ESRI
Essex Investment Management
Everest Consulting Group, Inc.
Fairchild Semiconductor International
Fishman Transducers
Fluor Corporation
Ford Motor Company
Framework Technologies Corp
F–Secure  Inc.
Fuller Company
Gap Inc.
Garmin International, Inc.
GC America Inc.
General Motors Corporation
GenRad, Inc.
German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc.
Genuity
Golin/Harris International
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Grant Thornton LLP
Greenberg Farrow Architecture Engineering Development
Greenbrier & Russel, Inc.
Group 1 Software, Inc.
GTE Services Corporation
Guidant Corporation
Halliburton Company
HandsFree Networks
Harris Corporation
Harvard Design & Mapping
Harvard University
Hawtal Whiting, Inc. N.A.
Hewlett-Packard
Honeywell Technology
i2 Technologies
IBC USA Conferences
ICEX Incorportated
iCopyright.Com
iGate Capital
ILX Systems
InCert Software
Infinium Software
Information Technology Association of America
Information Technology Industry Council
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Inmagic, Inc.
Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc.
Intel Corporation
Inteliant Corporation
International Business Machines Corp.
International Electronics Manufacturers and Consumers of America
International Paper
International Rectifier
InterSoft Technologies, Inc.
Intrinsix Corp.
iXL, Inc.
Jarg Corporation
Keane, Inc.
KeyCommerce, Inc.
Kinetic Computer Corporation
KLA – Tencor
Krupp Polysius Corp.
Leapnet, Inc.
Learning Curve International
Learning Tools International
Lightbridge, Inc.
Lodestar Corporation
LPA
LTX Corporation
Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC
Magotteaux, Inc.
MAMMA.COM
ManagedOps.com
The Management Association of Illinois
MAPICS, Inc.
MAP Mobile Communications Inc.
Market – Touch Corporation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Software & Internet Council
Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation
The Math Works, Inc.
Maytag Corporation
McClean Anderson, Division of ISAMI
McKesson HBOC, Inc.
McKinsey & Company
MCK Communications
Mercator Ventures LLC
Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.
Merrill Lynch
Methods Machine Tools, Inc.
MetLife
Metrix, Inc.
MicroCoating Technologies, Inc.
Micron Technology
Microsoft
Microstrategy, Inc.
Milsco Mfg Co.
MMC Networks, Inc.
Moldflow Corporation
Monticello Hardwood Inc.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.
Motorola
MSX International, Inc.
MULTEX.COM, Inc.
MyBeanCounter.com
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
National Data Corporation
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Natural MicroSystems
NCR Corporation
NetCentric Corporation
Neteos, Inc.
NetNumina Solutions, Inc.
Nevo Technologies, Inc.
New England Council, American ElectronicsAssociation
New Era of Networks (NEON)
New Jersey Pioneer Data Systems, Inc.
Nextel Partners
Northern Virginia Technology Council
Northwestern University
Novartis Corporation
Novell
NTRU Cryptosystems, Inc.
Object Management Group
ON Semiconductor
Open Software Associates, Inc.
OpTech
Oracle Corporation
OrderTrust
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
Pace Analytical Services, Inc.
Paget Capital LLC
Panuvistra, Inc.
Passkey.com, Inc.
Patriot Scientific Corporation
Pelton Co.
Petro Vend, Inc.
Phillips Petroleum Company
Photronics, Inc.
Photuris, Inc.
Pink Elephant Chicago, Inc.
Plaut Consulting Inc.
Pricecontainer.com Inc.
Power Center Software LLC
PowerQuest
Praxair, Inc.
PRI Automation
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Princeton University
The Procter & Gamble Company
Quantum Corporation
Radiowave.com
Ramp Networks, Inc.
Ramtron International Corporation
Realworld OO Systems LLC
Reed Elsevier, Inc.
The Richelieu Family of Food Companies
Riggers Manufacturing Company
RK Consulting, LLC
Roan Solutions, Inc.
Robert Bosch Corporation
Robotic Vision Systems Inc.
Rockwell
Rogers Corportaion
Roving Software
RSA Security Inc.
RS of A
Rubber Manufacturers Association
Sabre Inc.
SafeNet Consulting, Inc.
SAIC
Sai Software Consultants, Inc.
Segue Software
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International
Semiconductor Industry Association
Siemens Corporation
Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. – Nuclear Medicine Group
Silverline Technologies, Inc.
SmarterKids.Com
Society for Human Resource Management
SOS Staffing Services, Inc.
SoftInWay
SoftLinx, Inc.
Soft Pro International, LLC
Software & Information Industry Association
Software Solutions Group
Solectron Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation
Spatial Technology Inc.
Square D Company
Stanford University
STIHL Inc.
Still-Man Heating Products, Inc.
Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group
StorageTek
Subscriber Solutions, Inc.
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Superior Industries Int’l Inc.
Super Budget, Inc.
SUPERVALU Inc.
Swartzel Electric
Synchronics, Inc.
Syracuse University
System Solutions, Inc.
Technologic Software Concepts, Inc.
TechTarget.com
Technology Workforce Coalition
Tecnova, Inc.
Tektone Sound & Signal Mfg, Inc.
Telcordia Technologies
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Teloquent Communications
TESCO Engineering, Inc.
Texaco, Inc.
Texas Instruments
The Timken Company
The Thomson Corporation
ThinClient Technology Corporation
Thomson & Thomson
ThoughtWorks, Inc.
Ticonderoga Capital
TimeVision, Inc.
Tone Software Corporation
TPI Composites, Inc.
Travelocity.com Inc.
TriSoft Solutions, Inc.
TRW Inc.
Tulane University
TUSIAD-US Inc.
TUV America,
TUV Product Service Inc.
TUV Management Service Wave Systems Xchange, Inc.
UCA Computer Systems, Inc.
U–Know Software
Unigraphics Solutions
United Technologies Corporation
University of California
University of Cincinnati
University of Houston
University of Louisville
University of Maryland
University of Miami
University of Missouri – Columbia
University of Missouri - St. Louis
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin - Madison
UNOVA, Inc.
UOP LLC
US Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Wireless Corporation
Vanderbilt University
Viatech Inc.
Viet My Corporation
ViON Corp.
Virginia Industries
Vizooal
Washington University in St. Louis
WebManage Technologies, Inc.
The Western Connecticut Industrial Council
Westwood Studios
Whirlpool
White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
William Blair & Company
World Recreation Inc.
Wright & McGill Co.
WRQ, Inc.
Xilinx, Inc.
Xyvision Enterprise Solutions, Inc.
Yamamoto Moss
Yard Productions Inc.
Zefer Corp.
Zoesis, Inc.
ZS Associates, Inc.