Daniel C. Persinger, a Warner Norcross + Judd LLP immigration and business attorney, wrote a column explaining the negative impact of current caps on H1-B and H2-B visa programs for guest workers and the need for expansion to help U.S. employers.
In the column for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, Persinger noted that U.S. employers are missing out on qualified STEM professionals and seasonal workers due to current visa program caps not adjusting to demand.
“Local employers cannot get the talent they desperately need, so they apply for workers under this annual lottery for a chance to secure coveted work permits,” Persinger wrote. “These caps are hurting our ability to be competitive. Many H1-B applicants have obtained a degree from a U.S. university and then stay in hopes of employment. If they don’t get chosen in the spring lottery, many of these STEM professionals return to their country of origin, which drains valuable talent from the U.S.”
While he recognized that immigration remains a thorny issue, Persinger called for raising the caps on these visa programs.
“Doubling the quotas for each program would be a good place to start to alleviate some of the strain on Michigan businesses,” he wrote. “This would provide our businesses with a key talent advantage and help keep some of our best and brightest workers right here where we need them.”
Subscribers can read the full column here.
