August 28, 2017
Voice Your Organization’s Support for the H-1B Program
Recent pronouncements by the federal government and negative media stories have questioned the benefits of employment-based immigration and in particular the H-1B program. As you likely know, U.S. businesses use H-1B visas to gain access to sought-after skills of foreign professionals, many of whom graduate from U.S. universities, to complement the U.S. workforce. These foreign professional workers greatly benefit U.S. businesses, U.S. workers, and the economy. With Congress preparing to resume session, it is important that your Senators and Representatives understand the value and importance of the H-1B visa program.
Please show your support for the H-1B program by sending a letter to your Congressional members explaining how your organization has benefitted from the program. Below is a sample employer support letter that your company can use and adapt as appropriate to suit your needs. (You can use this link to look up your members of Congress.) Your support will help show Congress that the H-1B visa is critical to the continuing success of thousands of U.S. businesses.
SAMPLE EMPLOYER LETTER TO CONGRESS RE: H-1Bs
[date]
The Honorable __________ United States Congress Washington, DC ______
Dear [Senator/Representative] ________:
On behalf of [COMPANY NAME], headquartered in [CITY, STATE], I am writing to express our concern regarding recent pronouncements by the federal government and negative media stories questioning the benefits of employment-based immigration to the United States, and in particular, the H-1B program. [INSERT DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY]. Our company has utilized the H-1B to hire talent from across the globe. The H-1B visa has allowed us to remain globally competitive, helps keep jobs in the United States, and is an essential component of a thriving U.S. economy.
The United States was built by immigrants and flourished because of our storied history of welcoming entrepreneurs and innovators to our shores. Our country benefits when companies are given the flexibility they need to fill open positions with the best talent available, from within the United States and around the world. The H-1B gives U.S. companies like ours an opportunity to compete in the global talent race and hire professionals who are best able to advance our mission and the U.S. economy.
Our company, and by extension, the U.S. economy, has benefitted from the H-1B as follows: [ADD IN EXAMPLES OF HOW THE COMPANY HAS SUCCESSFULLY USED THE H-1B PROGRAM].
As a U.S. company that has benefitted from the H-1B program, we are troubled by reports of U.S. workers losing their jobs, and certainly, no one should be forced to train their replacement or forego compensation or other benefits associated with a separation agreement. Our company abides by the rules, utilizes the H-1B program in the manner and spirit in which it was intended, and we welcome additional efforts by the administration to eliminate fraud in our immigration system. But to blame these unfortunate occurrences solely on the use of visas is incorrect and fails to account for a variety of factors that businesses must consider when making hiring and restructuring decisions. Quite simply, without adequate and appropriate visas, the ability of our company to flourish and reach its potential is limited. We lose out and America loses out.
We urge you and your colleagues in Congress to recognize the benefits that visa workers bring to the United States, and to preserve this program which is vital to the continuing success of thousands of U.S. businesses. If you need any additional information or would like to meet regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone or email contact].